The long-awaited Rawalpindi Ring Road project has faced another delay, with authorities now setting March 31, 2026 as the new target for completing Phase I. The revised timeline means the project is unlikely to meet the Punjab chief minister’s earlier deadline of December 31, 2025, according to official sources.
Construction work on the 38.3-kilometre, six-lane corridor has progressed steadily and is now about 76 percent complete. However, rising construction expenses and unresolved land acquisition issues have massively hiked the project’s cost. The total estimated cost has increased from Rs 33 billion to Rs 50 billion, with additional land acquisition costs still to be finalised.
RDA Plans Key Road Linking Chak Beli Khan to GT Road
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has asked the Punjab government to approve a Rs 2.123 billion dual carriageway project. The road will connect the Chak Beli Khan interchange of the Rawalpindi Ring Road with the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.
According to a senior RDA official, the plan includes building an 11-kilometre dual road to make it easier for commuters to enter the Ring Road and reach their destinations.
The project is ready to start and construction will begin once provincial approval is granted. Officials added that the Ring Road will only fully benefit the public if these link roads are improved.
Rawalpindi Ring Road reduces traffic congestion
The Rawalpindi Ring Road is structured in a way that it eases traffic congestion within the city by diverting heavy and through traffic away from urban areas. Once completed, the road will start at Banth on GT Road near Rawat and end at Thallian near the motorway, providing a fast and direct bypass around the city.
Read more: Rs 4 billion released for Rawalpindi Ring Road project by Punjab government
The project includes five major interchanges located at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thallian. The Thallian Interchange, which is currently under construction, is planned to be expanded into a broad-based interchange under future development plans. This expansion will require the acquisition of an additional 1,134 kanal and 18 marla of land under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act.
So far, authorities have acquired 8,992 kanals of land for the project, and more than Rs5.90 billion has already been paid out to landowners as compensation. Officials say the compensation process is ongoing and further payments may be required as additional land is notified.
The ring road will catalyze economic activity
Beyond improving traffic flow, the Ring Road is going to catalyze economic activity. Approval has been granted to develop an industrial zone along the corridor, which are intended to captivate investment and create employment opportunities.
In a major policy decision, land on both sides of the Ring Road has also been declared commercial, allowing the construction of three- to ten-storey buildings and commercial plazas. Dedicated service roads will be built to support this commercial development.
The project also includes environmental and urban development features. Plans are in place to
- Plant around 300,000 trees along the route
- Create recreational spaces
- Install computerised LED screens for corporate advertising
Despite the delays and rising costs, officials remain confident that the Rawalpindi Ring Road will bring positive impacts such as
- Improving connectivity
- Reduce traffic pressure
- Reshape the city’s urban and economic landscape once completed