Rawalpindi to Begin Rs. 6.4 Billion Kutchery Chowk Project Soon
Rawalpindi is preparing for a transformative infrastructure upgrade, with the Rs. 6.494 billion Kutchery Chowk remodeling project set to break ground next month. The initiative promises to untangle one of the city’s busiest intersections, where over a quarter of a million vehicles pass daily.
Preparations in Motion
The groundwork for the project has already commenced. The Punjab Highway Department has initiated land marking, setting the stage for the upcoming construction.
A progress review meeting — chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema — laid out key directives for moving the project forward.
During the meeting:
- Utility providers, including SNGPL, IESCO, PTCL, WASA, and the cantonment boards, were asked to submit cost estimates for relocating their infrastructure.
- Officials confirmed that 36 kanals of land would be needed, most of it already state-owned and tied to institutions like Fatima Jinnah Women University, the Pakistan Army, the commissioner’s office, and the income tax department.
- The deputy commissioner underscored the importance of traffic planning, instructing the highway department to coordinate with police by sharing traffic counts for effective management during the construction phase. This coordination is a testament to the thorough planning of the project.
Project Scale and Design
According to Masab Ali, Sub-Divisional Officer of the Highway Department, the project will span 2.5 kilometers.
The first phase—shifting utilities—is scheduled to begin within a week. Once underway, the remodeling is expected to play a central role in the larger signal-free corridor from Koral Chowk to Motorway Chowk, easing congestion across a central traffic spine of the city.
Part of a Bigger Plan
The Kutchery Chowk project is not a standalone effort but part of a trio of major schemes approved by the Punjab government on August 11. These include:
- Remodeling of Kutchery Chowk
- Construction of an underpass at Iftikhar Janjua Road
- Development of a flyover and underpass at Jinnah Park Chowk
Together, these projects mark a bold step toward reshaping Rawalpindi’s road infrastructure, creating a smoother, signal-free commuting experience for residents.
What It Means for Rawalpindi
For a city struggling with rapid urban growth and soaring traffic volumes, these developments are more than just roadworks—they represent a shift in how Rawalpindi is preparing for the future.
Once completed, the remodeled Kutchery Chowk will not only reduce gridlocks but also cut travel times, improve connectivity, and make daily commuting less stressful for hundreds of thousands of people.