RAWALPINDI: The completion of Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase One has been rescheduled for March 2026 after missing the deadline set for 2025 despite repeated directives for early completion. The flagship infrastructure project is now estimated to cost around fifty billion rupees reflecting a significant increase from earlier projections.
Officials said the project which stretches over thirty eight point six kilometres connects Banth Mor on GT Road with the Thalian Interchange on the M Two Motorway. The cost escalation from thirty three billion rupees to fifty billion rupees has been attributed to design adjustments land acquisition and expansion requirements aimed at improving long term traffic flow.
During an earlier site visit Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had instructed authorities to ensure completion by December thirty 2025. However officials of the Rawalpindi Development Authority confirmed that around seventy five percent of the construction work has been completed so far making the earlier deadline unattainable.
Authorities further revealed that land acquisition is currently underway to convert the Thalian Interchange into a broad based interchange. This expansion is being planned to support future connectivity and anticipated traffic growth as Rawalpindi and Islamabad continue to expand rapidly.
Alongside Phase One progress the RDA announced that planning for Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase Two is also moving forward. The feasibility study for Phase Two extending from Thalian Interchange to GT Road M Five is expected to be completed by March next year at an estimated cost of fifty two million rupees. NESPAK has been engaged to prepare the feasibility study and the PC One document.
Despite optimistic projections officials cautioned that the revised March 2026 timeline may still face challenges particularly due to the complexity of interchange expansion and remaining land acquisition. The Rawalpindi Ring Road remains a critical project for easing urban congestion improving regional connectivity and supporting economic growth but timely completion will depend on sustained administrative and financial coordination.
