Rawalpindi: The cost of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project has risen from Rs33 billion to Rs50 billion after the preparation of a revised PC-I, driven largely by the decision to broaden and future-proof the Thallian Interchange — the key junction linking the scheme to the motorway. The project’s completion date has also been extended from December 2025 to March 2026.
According to project officials, nearly 70% of the work on the long-delayed mega scheme — being developed by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) — has been completed. Carpeting on a major portion of the road is finished, while construction continues across different segments of the 38.3-kilometre route, stretching from Banth on GT Road to Thallian Interchange. Work on bridges and protective embankments is also advancing.
The fresh design requirements at Thallian Interchange have not only pushed back the timeline but also inflated the project cost by Rs17 billion, prompting the issuance of the updated PC-I. The Frontier Works Organization (FWO), the project’s contractor, had been working under the previous Rs33 billion PC-I, which has now been replaced with the revised Rs50 billion version.
Although Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had earlier directed authorities to complete the project by December 2025, officials said the additional expansion work made it impractical to meet the earlier deadline.
RDA Director-General Kinza Murtaza said the project is progressing at a steady pace and will be completed within the new March 2026 deadline. She described the Rawalpindi Ring Road as a transformative infrastructure initiative for the region.
According to her, the project — aligned with CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision — will not only act as a major alternative traffic corridor for Rawalpindi but will also lay the foundation for future economic zones, transport terminals, a fruit and vegetable market and other key urban infrastructure.
Murtaza added that the RDA is maintaining continuous consultation with experts and stakeholders to advance these parallel development plans.
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