RAWALPINDI: The major traffic remodelling project at Kutchery Chowk in Rawalpindi has been delayed to the end of May following a sharp rise in costs. The project’s estimated cost has increased from Rs14 billion to Rs19 billion, prompting authorities to revise timelines and submit an updated PC-I for approval.
Originally scheduled for completion by April 30, the deadline was first extended to mid-May and is now set for the month’s end. While core infrastructure, including two flyovers, three underpasses, and most roadwork, has been completed, finishing tasks like drainage, lighting, and aesthetic work remain pending.
Launched in November 2025 with an 18-month timeline, the project is being executed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and is about 75–76% complete. Officials cited weather disruptions, holidays, and rain in March, along with the Eid break, as key factors slowing construction despite efforts to accelerate work through double shifts.
Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak recently reviewed progress and instructed departments to maintain quality while ensuring timely completion. Once finished, the project will ease congestion by separating local and transit traffic, improving flow at one of the city’s busiest intersections.
The repeated delays and cost revisions highlight the challenges of executing large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
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