The Rawalpindi Ring Road project is a flagship development initiative of the Punjab government. It is now expected to miss its original December 2025 completion deadline. Despite earlier instructions from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to finish the project by the end of December, officials now say the multi-billion-rupee project will likely be completed by March 2026.
75% Work Completed – But Key Components Still Pending
As per a senior official of the divisional administration, around 75 percent of construction work on the 38.3 km-long Rawalpindi Ring Road has been completed. However, several critical components are still in progress, making it unrealistic to meet the earlier deadline.
The official had cited some of the major factors behind the delay:
1. Slow Transportation of Construction Material
The Punjab government has enforced strict measures against overloading of vehicles on the GT Road, which has directly impacted the pace of stone supply for the project.
o Earlier, each loader transported around 8,000 cubic feet of stone.
o Now, due to enforcement of weight limits, only 4,000 cubic feet per loader is allowed.
This stone is essential for:
o Construction of waterways
o Stone pitching of retaining walls
o Gravel layers for road construction
As a result, work that depends on heavy stone supply is progressing more slowly than planned.
2. Addition of Thalian Interchange and Toll Plazas
Initially, Thalian Interchange at the motorway and the construction of toll plazas were not part of the original design. These components were added later to improve connectivity and revenue generation, but they also need extra time, planning, and funding.
3. Revised PC-I and Escalating Project Cost
The revised PC-I of the project is still under process.
o The original project cost was around Rs33 billion.
o It has now been revised to around Rs45 billion due to design changes, inflation, and additional structures.
The Project Management Unit, in consultation with Nespak, has prepared the revised PC-I, which is currently with the Housing and Urban Development Department.
After approval, it will be forwarded to the Planning and Development Department, and then to the Punjab government via Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) for final approval and release of additional funds.
Read more: Inflation, new Thalian interchange and toll plazas add Rs 12 billion to cost of Rawalpindi Ring Road
Officials Confirm Rawalpindi Ring Road New Completion Timeline
Deputy Project Director Rawalpindi Ring Road, Ashfaq Sulheri, confirmed that the project is now expected to be completed by March 2026, instead of December 2025.
He shared the current progress details:
• Asphalt work has been completed on nine kilometres of the road.
• Soan Bridge has been completed.
• Work on the railway bridge is underway, with girder casting already started.
• Asphalt work on more stretches is ongoing and will continue as the remaining structures are completed.
He also mentioned that the department is taking lessons from earlier road projects in Islamabad to ensure better quality, durability, and proper drainage, especially to avoid flood-like situations in the future. For this reason, waterways along the road and interchanges are being constructed carefully, which also takes additional time.
Key Features of the Rawalpindi Ring Road
After the completion, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to significantly minimize traffic blockage on the roads, improve connectivity, and support economic development in the region. Some of its major features include:
• Total Length: 38.3 km
• Design Speed: 120 km/h
• Lanes: Six-lane controlled-access corridor
• Interchanges:
o Baanth
o Chak Baili Khan
o Adiala Road
o Chakri Road
o Thalian
An industrial zone is also planned around the Ring Road, which is anticipated to captivate industries, create jobs, and boost the local economy.
What the Delay Means for the Public
While the delay may disappoint commuters and businesses hoping for early relief from traffic congestion, officials insist that the focus is on quality, safety, and long-term sustainability rather than rushing the project.
If it is completed as per revised specifications, the Rawalpindi Ring Road could become a key economic and traffic corridor, proving to link major highways, giving permission for cargo movement, and opening up new areas for investment, housing and commercial activity in and around the twin cities.
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