If you’ve ever been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi, you’re not alone. It’s one of the city’s busiest—and most frustrating—corridors.
Now, the Punjab government is taking a big step to fix it. Following the inauguration of the GPO underpass and Nawaz Sharif flyover, the government is planning three more underpasses to transform the entire stretch into a signal-free corridor.
These new projects will be built at Race Course Park, the army graveyard, and Chairing Cross, all critical intersections that currently see major congestion.
Big Investment for a Big Problem
A senior official from the district administration explained that the Punjab government has already allocated Rs 2.6 billion for the Race Course Park underpass, Rs 1.9 billion for the army graveyard underpass, and Rs 1.5 billion for Chairing Cross in its 2025–26 Annual Development Programme.
It’s not just a promise on paper. The Communication and Works Department has already started work on the PC-I (project concept) for these underpasses. Surveys are underway, and officials say formal construction could begin right after the monsoon season.
Part of a Bigger Traffic Solution
These underpasses aren’t standalone fixes. They are considered to be the integral component of an ambitious plan to make Peshawar Road completely signal-free—from Kutchery Chowk all the way to Motorway Chowk.
“We want to cut back travel time and offer an alternative to the congested Srinagar Highway,” explained an official.
This new corridor will help link the Islamabad Expressway with Motorway Chowk, giving commuters a much-needed alternative route, particularly for those heading to New Islamabad International Airport or connecting to the Motorway.
More on the Horizon: Flyovers, Buses, and Ring Road
While the three new underpasses are the immediate priority, there are other big plans in the works. The government is looking at building a flyover in front of Jinnah Park on Old Airport Road and solving land acquisition issues for the Kutchery Chowk underpass so that both projects can start together.
There’s also the Rawalpindi Ring Road, which will eventually provide yet another alternative for long-haul traffic bypassing city congestion.
And it’s not just cars that will benefit. The government is planning to launch over 100 electric buses in Rawalpindi, connecting public transport routes to the airport, motorway, and the new signal-free corridor.
A Glimpse of Relief for Daily Commuters
For many in Rawalpindi, these projects cannot come soon enough.
Anyone who’s navigated the chaos around Military Hospital, Pirwadhai Mor, or the crawl through Peshawar Road knows the toll it takes—on time, nerves, and even the environment.
Officials keep on promising that after the building of these underpasses, the stretch from Military Hospital to Pirwadhai Mor will finally be signal-free, making daily travel
- Easier
- Safer
- Faster
It’s a vision of a better Rawalpindi—one with modern infrastructure designed for the city’s growing needs. And for commuters who battle traffic every day, that’s a promise worth watching.