The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has introduced a comprehensive Rs9 billion plan to overhaul Murree Road and expand its traffic-carrying capacity. Covering the critical stretch from Saddar to Faizabad, the initiative aims to restore the road’s deteriorated condition and streamline travel between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza confirmed that the Punjab government had directed civic bodies to propose development schemes, after which the RDA submitted two major projects centred on the garrison city’s busiest corridor.
The first project involves constructing service lanes on both sides of Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk. Estimated at Rs8.1 billion, this intervention is designed to make the route signal-free from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad. According to the RDA, a land acquisition survey is currently under way, and the detailed design will be finalised once the provincial government releases the required funds. A significant portion of the budget will be allocated to land acquisition, enabling the expansion needed for the new service lanes.
RDA officials emphasise that the widened stretch will not only enhance traffic flow but also improve the overall urban landscape. Service lanes already exist from Chandni Chowk to Faizabad, and the addition of new lanes further down the corridor is expected to boost mobility for thousands of daily commuters. Once completed, the project will ease congestion and improve safety while presenting a more organised look to visitors entering the city.
The second project focuses on rehabilitating Murree Road from Saddar Flashman’s to Faizabad at a cost of Rs953 million. This includes re-carpeting and structural repairs to restore a segment that has not seen major maintenance since 2014, following the completion of the Metro Bus elevated track. The RDA has submitted funding requests to the Punjab government as part of a broader development agenda for Rawalpindi.
A senior district administration official noted that the government is finalising an extensive development package to modernise Rawalpindi’s infrastructure. Inspired by similar efforts in Lahore, the initiative aims to create a cleaner, greener and more spacious urban environment. The package will prioritise improved water supply, upgraded sewerage systems, pollution control and enhanced civic facilities.
Authorities expect that the new development initiatives will begin delivering tangible improvements from 2026 onward. With major road upgrades, better public services and modernised civic amenities, Rawalpindi is poised for a significant transformation, aligning the city’s future growth with improved mobility, sustainability and quality of life.
