RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government is planning to construct an underpass on The Mall in front of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) and Military Hospital.

A senior official of the district administration told Dawn that the proposal had been sent to the government to start work on the underpass to cater to the traffic rush on the main square commonly known as Station Mor in front of AFIC.

He said Nespak had also sent a report to the government stating that it was necessary to construct the underpass to make The Mall and Peshawar Road signal free from Koral Chowk to Motorway Chowk.

He said once the government gives the go-ahead signal, work would be started on the project likely by the end of December after the completion of two underpasses at Race Course Park and Charing Cross.

He said the National Highway Authority was already working to expand the road from Chungi No 26 towards Motorway Chowk with the Punjab Highway Department working on the two underpasses to make a signal-free corridor from Ammar Chowk to Motorway Chowk.

The official said the new underpass in front of AFIC would improve the traffic from Ammar Chowk to Motorway Chowk.

When asked why it was not constructed along with the GPO underpass, he said it would have been difficult to handle traffic as all traffic had been diverted to Haider Road via Station Mor. He also said that PC-I was being prepared and would be sent to the government for final approval by the end of this month.

About the work on two underpasses, he said major structural works, including piling, deck slabs and capping beams, had been completed and the remaining work would be completed by November end. He said that the installation of barriers, excavation of the underpasses, relocation of utility services, drainage works and road construction were in progress.

The overall construction progress stands at approximately 60pc, with the remaining work targeted for completion by November end. He stated that the Race Course underpass would comprise two lanes for northbound traffic along with three-level road lanes to facilitate traffic movement and turning.

Similarly, the Charing Cross underpass is being constructed to accommodate southbound traffic and will feature two underpass lanes alongside two-level road lanes. Rehabilitation and expansion of the road section from Bungalow No 276 to Raffay Mall on Peshawar Road are also underway.

He said the underpass and roads were being repaired and Punjab Highway Department was working to make drainage system to avoid water accumulation during rainy days.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026