Rawalpindi Ring Road project was first approved on April 06, 2018, by Punjab Government Authorities. However, after a long period of more than three years, this project still lingers in nowhere as many await its completion. For, this 65.5 km long road will connect the two big metropolitan cities in Pakistan.
Rawalpindi Ring Road Project
Recently, the government announced the inauguration ceremony of PC-1 on December 25, 2021. Most investors and business people look forward to this mega road project as it is rife with lucrative opportunities.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road map aligns the N-5 motorway with Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, passing through Rawat, Bahria Town, Sowan River, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, New Islamabad International Airport, Hakla, and M-1 Motorway.
This article presents this project’s opportunities and challenges to the residents, business people, and investors alike in twin cities. So, let’s dive in!
Rawalpindi Ring Road – Opportunities
Rawalpindi Ring Road is a bundle of opportunities as it resolves the major issue of the traffic bottleneck on the N-5 highway passing through Rawalpindi. Let’s discuss all of these opportunities step by step.
Reduce Travel Time/ Smooth Traffic Flow
The construction of Ring Road Islamabad provides convenience and relief for those traveling daily on the N-5 highway. The national road, which is 1,819 km, faces a traffic bottleneck in the metropolitan city of Rawalpindi. At this point, the local and inter-city traffic gets congested, increasing their travel time and creating inconvenience for them.
The Red Metro Line Project in Karachi is another project of PM Imran Khan’s Government, helping achieve the traffic hassles in Karachi. Click here to read on this project.
The ring road will create a smooth flow of traffic and reduce travel time ultimately. The seamless traffic flow will ensure on-time deliveries as Rawalpindi is a major hub for inter-city moving cargo services.
In addition, the enhanced efficiency is expected to produce high returns in financial terms for businessmen and investors alike.
Increased Access To Facilities
Islamabad Ring Road Project brings increased access to ultra-modern facilities with its development. In addition, the nearby housing societies are expected to benefit more from the easy access to New Islamabad International Airport and Thalian Interchange Lahore-Islamabad Motorway.
Inter-City Connectivity
Constructed on the bypass model, this 65.5 km long bypass will connect two major metropolitan twin cities with Torkham, Peshawar, Karachi, and Lahore at one point.
In addition, the bypass will connect two points, from M2 Motorway to Channi Sher Alam Bridge in Rawat. Consequently, major economic opportunities exist as several other projects will be in force, supporting the country’s economy.
Real Estate Sector
Above all, the real estate sector has more to achieve from RRR construction due to the easy access from New Islamabad International Airport and M2 Motorway.
In addition, the development of housing societies will further boost and create multiple opportunities in the vicinity of RRR.
Economic Zones And CPEC
RRR project includes the CPEC route in its plan to provide and extend economic opportunities for the larger population. A number of economic zones, expecting 10 economic zones, will be part of this much-anticipated road construction design.
Rawalpindi Ring Road – Challenges
Although this major highway alignment offers a range of opportunities for different sections of society, it’s a project full of challenges and controversies as well since the first proposal was offered. In 1991, Shehbaz Sharif approved this road linking project.
However, it remained in files due to the fragile political condition of Pakistan and the scarcity of funds.
In 2008, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) conducted another feasibility report, reducing the total length from 75km to 54km. Moreover, RDA excluded the railway track, proposed in the initial report, from its latest report due to insufficient funds.
Recently, the government lost Rs 2 billion due to the illegal alignment of the Attock coup and Paswal Zigzag. In other words, only transparency and accountability can ensure the successful completion of this project.
Recently, the announcement date of Rawalpindi Ring Road PC-1 was made by PM Imran Khan to be held at the end of this year. However, the hopes are still there as everyone is awaiting its successful completion by 2023.
