Rawalpindi road upgrade projects deferred until 2027

Nine road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Rawalpindi have been placed in the red zone and deferred until December 31, 2027, amid a severe economic and financial crisis and major cuts in development funds, ProPakistani reported on Thursday.

The projects, which include road upgrading, carpeting and widening, as well as local infrastructure schemes, have been removed from the Annual Development Programme. ProPakistani said their estimated costs are likely to rise by 100 percent.

The development department has temporarily halted the nine schemes due to a lack of funds. Among the projects identified in the report are the Khayaban-i-Sir Syed Road project, a 1.6-kilometre rehabilitation costing Rs213 million; the 1.5-kilometre Bokra Road project, estimated at Rs226 million; and the 1.74-kilometre Fifth Road project, costing Rs138 million.

The Rawal Road upgrade, covering a two-kilometre stretch from Ali Nawaz Intersection to Murree Road, has also been deferred at an estimated cost of Rs241 million. The 0.8-kilometre Chandni Chowk to Commercial Market Road project was estimated at Rs115 million, while the 1.2-kilometre Railway Workshop Road project was estimated at Rs247 million.

Projects for China Market to Gordon College Road and Satellite Town 4-B Road have also been dropped due to a lack of funds, according to the report.

In addition to road schemes, projects for upgrading healthcare facilities and hospitals, providing new facilities at medical centres and hospitals, and expanding buildings have been temporarily placed in the red zone because of budget constraints, ProPakistani said.