The Punjab government has released an additional Rs 9 billion to accelerate the construction of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (R3), ensuring its completion by the end of December. This move is aimed at keeping the project on track and avoiding further delays.
However, despite the financial boost, the Frontier Works Organization (FWO)—the contractor has the right only for implementing the project—has yet to receive Rs 4 billion for the work it has already completed. The delay in disbursing these funds is due to the postponement of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting, which is responsible for ratification the revised Project Concept-I (PC-I).
A senior district administration official ratified that Rs 12 billion had already been spent on the project, with payments made to the contractor. Once Ecnec grants the final ratification, the Project Management Unit (PMU) is expected to be capable of providing Rs 4 billion due to FWO. The remaining Rs 5 billion from the latest installment will be sufficient to complete the road segment from Banth to Thallian by June. The remaining funds required to complete the whole Rs38 billion project will be released in the next fiscal year.
Progress & Future Plans
Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri stated that Rs 130 million had been paid to Pakistan Railways for constructing a railway bridge over the Ring Road. He reaffirmed the commitment to meet the December deadline and highlighted that over 45% of the work had been completed. Additionally, the pace of work is expected to increase further, with the road being ready for blacktopping within the next three to four months.
Read more: Rawalpindi Ring Road’s budget hiked to Rs 39 billion with only 37% work completed so far
Meanwhile, Commissioner Amir Khattak, while reviewing the project’s progress, emphasized that the Ring Road is a top priority for the government. He assured that the necessary funds had been given, leaving no room for further delays. The commissioner has given some instructions to the director of the deputy project regarding the updates of the project. Additionally, he declared that he would personally evaluate the site every three days and tour the whole route every week to evaluate progress.
Project Features & Impact
During a briefing, officials declared that the financial progress of the project is standing at 45%, and with the latest fund release, both financial and physical progress will gain momentum. The revised PC-I has already been cleared by the Central Development Working Party and is now awaiting Ecnec’s final approval.
The Ring Road is all spanning 38.3 kilometers, is a Rs38 billion mega-project which is presenting almost five interchanges at
- Banth
- Chak Baili Khan
- Adiala Road
- Chakri Road
- Thalian
The agenda behind the project is to simplify congestion, promote economic growth in the region, and facilitate faster transportation.
Furthermore, an industrial zone is anticipated to be established around the Ring Road, which will help in fostering business opportunities and creating employment. The six-lane managed-access highway will operate at a design speed of 120 km/h, leading to smooth traffic flow.
With firm deadlines, secured funding, and intensified evaluation, authorities are highly hopeful about delivering the Rawalpindi Ring Road on time and it will help in economic development in the region.