The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has revised its plan to expand Murree Road, the city’s busiest artery, increasing the budget from Rs8 billion to Rs17.7 billion.
According to DAWN, the upgrade covers the stretch from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk and aims to improve traffic flow by widening lanes and adding service roads
Cost Surge Driven by Land Acquisition
The main reason for the budget jump is land acquisition. Widening the road requires purchasing 48 kanals of private land. Officials estimate that most of the additional Rs9.7 billion will be spent on compensating property owners.
Road Widening and Service Lanes
Originally planned to widen the road by 15 feet on each side, the project now expands lanes by 20 feet, incorporating new service roads.
This design is expected to create a continuous signal-free stretch from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad, reducing congestion for daily commuters.
New Parking Plazas
To further ease traffic, the Punjab government plans two multi-story parking plazas:
- Benazir Bhutto Hospital: Three floors, 480 vehicles, Rs1.4 billion.
- Commercial Market: Five floors, 700 vehicles plus 100 shops, Rs2.6 billion.
The RDA has submitted the final plan to the Punjab government for approval. Once funds are released, land surveys and construction will commence.
The project is positioned to modernize Rawalpindi’s road infrastructure while improving the commuter experience.
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