RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has submitted a proposal to the Planning Department for approval to connect Double Road with 9th Avenue by constructing an underpass at an estimated cost of Rs800 million.

Talking to Dawn, RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said that there was a dire need to connect Double Road with 9th Avenue and in this regard the proposal had been sent for approval.

She said there were two main reasons for the construction of the underpass. The first is the presence of the cricket stadium on Double Road, which causes difficulties for the administration and police in bringing teams to the venue. As a result, roads have to be closed for security reasons.

Secondly, she added, this would be an alternative route for commuters between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. After the completion of the proposed project, traffic mess at Faizabad will also end as it will become a signal-free road from Chandni Chowk to Islamabad.

We are also thinking about involving CDA so cost of project is shared, says official

She said the underpass will be 1600 feet long and 24 feet wide with the proposed height of 16 feet. She said that two roads will be reconstructed on the both sides. The RDA is also planning to improve the condition of roads in its administrative control.

The RDA chief said work on the project would be launched as soon as it is approved and funds are released.

It may be mentioned here that in 2017, RDA had also made a plan to remodel the main square to connect Double Road with 9th Avenue.

The RDA had sought funds from the Punjab government in order to ease traffic congestion on the road. The provincial government had allocated funds in its annual development programme for the fiscal year 2017-18.

However, a senior official of the RDA said that after the change of government in 2018, no progress was made on the project.

He said that now if the project was approved by the planning department, the RDA would have to involve the CDA in the project or get a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the construction work in the federal capital area as Karnal Sher Khan Road, formerly I.J. Principal Road, falls under the administrative control of the CDA.

“The RDA is also thinking about involving the CDA so the cost of the project is shared as it will help ease traffic congestion in the capital city as well,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025