RDA plans major road rehabilitation scheme

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RAWALPINDI: After sitting idle for one year, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has planned road rehabilitation and infrastructure improvement works in the garrison city at an estimated cost of Rs68.98 million.

A senior official of RDA told Dawn that in the last one year the civic agency was looking after Rawalpindi Ring Road project worth Rs47 billion, while no development work was launched for rehabilitation of roads.

He said that the Punjab government did not approve its two main projects -- Murree Road expansion from Committee Chowk to Chandni Chowk and repair of Murree Road from Faizabad to Marrir Chowk.

He said that the RDA submitted a plan to rehabilitate Ch. Bostan Khan Road from Chaklala Scheme-III to Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench, but the local administration handed over the construction task to Punjab Highway Department.

Work is expected to be complete in a year at a cost of Rs68.98 million, says official

Apart from this, he said, it also planned to construct an underpass to connect I.J. Principal Road and Double Road at Shamsabad but it was also not approved. As a result, the civic agency started work on a commercial plaza and construction of flats for RDA employees.

He said that the new proposed development scheme, “Framework Agreement for Rehabilitation/Repair of Roads, Footpaths, Storm Water Drains, Manholes and Road Marking at Different Roads of City”, aims to address the repair and maintenance of urban road infrastructure.

Under the scheme, he said the scope of work included the rehabilitation and repair of roads, footpaths, storm water drains and manholes, along with marking on various roads across the city.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs68,983,836, including applicable taxes.

The stipulated completion period is 12 months.

The official said that the proposed works were intended to improve road conditions and maintain essential urban infrastructure, including drainage facilities and pedestrian pathways.

The repair and maintenance of these facilities are important for smoother traffic movement, pedestrian convenience and the effective drainage of rainwater.

However, he said a survey had been started to identify the roads for rehabilitation. He said that the old Airport Road and Rawal Road would be on the top priority as these required massive repair work.

He said the proposed scheme would be sent to the Punjab government for final approval and after getting the go-ahead signal PC-I will be prepared.

When contacted, RDA spokesman Mohammad Irfan confirmed that the civic agency plans to start work on the road development scheme.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2026

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