The Rawalpindi Development Authority has significantly revised its plan to expand Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk, increasing both the project scale and budget. The proposed road width on both sides has been raised from 15 feet to 20 feet, while the estimated cost has jumped from Rs8 billion to approximately Rs17 billion. The revision aims to address worsening traffic congestion on one of Rawalpindi’s busiest corridors.
According to senior RDA officials, the project includes the construction of service lanes on both sides of Murree Road along a three kilometre stretch. The revised proposal was initially submitted to the Punjab government last month but was later amended on the recommendation of the district administration and sent again to Lahore for approval and inclusion in the annual development programme.
Under the updated plan, around 48 kanals of land will be acquired to facilitate the road expansion. Officials said that nearly Rs17.7 billion would be spent on land acquisition alone, making it the largest cost component of the project. Once completed, the addition of service roads will help improve traffic flow and reduce pressure on the main carriageway.
After the construction of service lanes, Murree Road is expected to become signal free from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad. Officials noted that detailed engineering designs would be finalised only after the provincial government releases funds. A land acquisition survey is currently underway, and construction will begin once formal approval is granted.
The RDA also confirmed that service lanes already exist between Chandni Chowk and Faizabad, and extending them further will enhance overall traffic capacity while improving the visual outlook of the area. The widened road is expected to benefit both daily commuters and local businesses.
In addition to the road project, two parking plazas have been proposed under the annual development programme. One parking plaza is planned at Benazir Bhutto Hospital with a capacity of 480 vehicles, while another five storey commercial and parking facility at Commercial Market will accommodate 700 vehicles and include 100 shops, further easing parking issues in the city.
