The Punjab government has announced an early completion date for the long-awaited Rs 14 billion Kutchery Chowk remodeling project, offering relief to Rawalpindi residents who have endured months of traffic congestion and road closures. Authorities have also confirmed the construction of a Rs 1.6 billion parking plaza in Jinnah Park, part of a broader plan to modernize the city’s traffic infrastructure.
Major Announcement by Divisional Commissioner
The update was shared by Divisional Commissioner Amir Khattak during a press briefing held at the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation offices on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Superintendent Engineer Rao Tahir of the Punjab Highway Department and other senior officials, who released technical details and progress updates.
As per the officials, the Kutchery Chowk project is considered to be a key segment of the signal-free corridor stretching from Ammar Chowk to Motorway Chowk, which are designed to streamline traffic flow across one of the city’s busiest routes.
Breakdown of Project Costs and Scope
The large-scale development involves multiple flyovers and underpasses, with significant investment across key intersections. Authorities revealed that:
• Rs. 3.9 billion is being spent on the Jinnah Park and Annexe Chowk flyover and underpass
• Rs. 5.9 billion has been allocated for the Kutchery Chowk flyover and underpass
• Rs. 2.6 billion is earmarked for the Iftikhar Janjua Chowk underpass
All-inclusively, the project spans 31 kanals of land, making it one of the most extensive urban road projects currently underway in Rawalpindi.
Accelerated Timeline to Minimize Public Inconvenience
Originally planned with an 18-month completion timeline, the project is now being fast-tracked to ease daily hardships encountered by
- Commuters
- Traders
- Nearby residents
Commissioner Khattak claimed that the government has given all the relevant instructions or release a guide for contractors to work in double shifts to meet the revised deadline without compromising construction quality or safety standards.
Authorities now intends to complete the project by May 31, well ahead of the original schedule.
Parking Solutions to Ease Congestion
A major objective of the project is to address chronic traffic bottlenecks caused by roadside parking. To that end, the government is constructing a multi-story parking plaza in Jinnah Park, previously known as Bhutto Park.
Furthermore, proposals for five more parking plazas have been submitted, and it is targeting high-traffic areas such as Saddar and Cantonment, where parking shortages routinely makes or creates issues on major roads.
Kutchery Chowk Step Toward Smarter Urban Mobility
After the completion, the Kutchery Chowk project is expected to significantly
- Improve traffic flow
- Reduce travel time
- Enhance road safety for thousands of daily commuters
City officials keep on saying that the initiative reflects a growing focus on planned urban mobility, which is meant to make Rawalpindi’s Road network more efficient and commuter-friendly in the long run.