RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority has decided to defer immediate repair work on the badly damaged Chaudhry Bostan Khan Road and instead plans to reconstruct the entire stretch during the next fiscal year. The decision has drawn criticism from residents and motorists who rely heavily on the road for daily commuting.

The four point seven kilometre road connects the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench with Chaklala Scheme Three and serves as a key alternative route for traffic from Jhelum Road towards Saddar Raja Bazaar and Old Airport Road due to the closure of Kutchery Chowk. The road has remained in poor condition for over seven months and is riddled with potholes along its entire length.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said the authority has opted for complete rehabilitation rather than temporary patchwork. She said a proposal costing Rs423 million has been sent to the Punjab government for inclusion in the next Annual Development Programme. According to the plan the road will be rebuilt with improved infrastructure to ensure long term durability.

She added that the road width ranges between 38 and 48 feet and the project also includes rehabilitation of footpaths on both sides along with construction of a proper drainage system to manage rainwater. She said construction work could not be initiated immediately as the road currently serves as a major diversion route.

Residents and commuters have expressed serious concerns over the delay. They say the damaged surface has made the road highly accident prone and traffic congestion has become routine at several points. Public transport operators and ride hailing drivers often avoid the road due to its poor condition.

Local residents said the broken surface causes damage to vehicles and creates puddles during rainfall while dust from the road aggravates health problems. They urged the RDA to carry out at least temporary repairs to make the road traffic worthy until full reconstruction begins next year.