Rawalpindi’s Major Road to Become Signal-Free

In a major infrastructure push, the Punjab government has announced plans to transform a key stretch of The Mall Road in Rawalpindi into a signal-free corridor, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and ensure smoother travel for commuters between Katcheri Chowk and Motorway Chowk.

A senior official from the Housing and Urban Development Department confirmed that the project will be executed in carefully planned stages to minimize disruption to daily public traffic. The blueprint for this ambitious urban development includes the construction of four underpasses and two flyovers, designed to streamline the traffic flow on one of Rawalpindi’s busiest roads.

Key Developments and Budget Breakdown

1. Katcheri Chowk Underpass
Work on the Katcheri Chowk Underpass is scheduled to begin as soon as the ongoing GPO Underpass project on The Mall is completed. This underpass, along with road expansion, is estimated to cost Rs. 4.450 billion, with Rs. 160 million allocated in the upcoming budget year starting July 1.

2. Race Course Underpass
A second major project, the Race Course Underpass, is planned at a cost of Rs. 2.6 billion, aiming to ease traffic bottlenecks in the surrounding areas.

3. Chairing Cross Underpass
This underpass will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 billion, with Rs. 54 million earmarked for the current financial year.

4. Army Graveyard Chowk Underpass
Set to cost Rs. 1.9 billion, this underpass will also receive Rs. 68 million this year to start preparatory work.

5. Jinnah Park Flyover
A major flyover is planned at Jinnah Park with a total budget of Rs. 4.150 billion and an initial allocation of Rs. 149 million.

6. Ammar Chowk Flyover
The second flyover, at Ammar Chowk, is budgeted at Rs. 3.450 billion, with Rs. 124 million set aside for this year.

Expert Evaluations to Guide Execution

According to the official, the Punjab administration has directed the department to conduct thorough area assessments, engage urban planning experts, and prepare feasibility studies and PC-I reports before starting construction work. This phased approach will ensure that the transformation of The Mall into a signal-free corridor in Rawalpindi aligns with safety, sustainability, and urban development standards.

Once completed, this signal-free corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel times, lower fuel consumption, and ease daily commuting stress for thousands of motorists and public transport users in Rawalpindi. Residents and commuters can expect a modernized urban road network with minimal signal stops, smoother traffic flow, and better connectivity between key points of the city — transforming Rawalpindi’s traffic landscape for years to come.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official project details, funding updates, and construction timelines, please refer to announcements by the Punjab Housing and Urban Development Department.

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