Punjab Plans Rs3 Billion Underpass for Signal-Free Corridor in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Highway Department has unveiled plans for a Rs3 billion underpass in front of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) on The Mall, aimed at facilitating a signal-free corridor from Koral Chowk to Motorway Chowk. The project is currently awaiting formal approval from the Punjab government.

A senior district administration official stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to enable commuters to travel from Islamabad Expressway to Motorway Chowk in just 20 minutes. The necessary paperwork for the project has been completed, indicating a significant step forward in urban infrastructure development.

This underpass is one of several components of the signal-free corridor project, which involves collaboration among three government departments. The National Highway Authority is tasked with rehabilitating the road from Motorway Chowk to Chur Chowk, while the Punjab Highway Department is also constructing two additional underpasses at Charing Cross and Race Course Park. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Development Authority is set to begin work on rehabilitating the Old Airport Road from Koral Chowk to Ammar Chowk.

As the project progresses, it is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in the area, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel times for residents and commuters alike. The next steps include finalizing approvals and commencing construction on the underpass at AFIC, with further updates anticipated in the coming weeks.