Rawalpindi’s Kutchery Chowk project delayed to May-end after cost surge

RAWALPINDI: The completion deadline for a major traffic remodelling project at Kutchery Chowk in Rawalpindi has been pushed to the end of May after a sharp increase in costs.

Officials said that the project’s cost has risen from Rs14 billion to Rs19 billion, prompting authorities to revise timelines and submit an updated PC-I for approval, according to officials from the Punjab Communication and Works Department.

Originally scheduled for completion by April 30, the deadline was first extended to mid-May and later pushed further to the end of the month as several components of the project remain unfinished.

Despite delays, much of the core infrastructure has been completed. Officials said structures of two flyovers and three underpasses are in place, along with most of the roadwork, while finishing elements such as drainage, lighting and aesthetic work are still pending.

The project, launched in November 2025 with an initial 18-month timeline, is being executed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and is currently around 75–76 per cent complete, according to official estimates.

Authorities attributed the delay primarily to weather disruptions and holidays.

Officials said spells of rain in March and the Eid break slowed construction, adding that work typically resumes three days after rainfall, affecting progress despite efforts to accelerate activity through double shifts.

During a recent site visit, Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak reviewed the pace of construction and directed relevant departments to ensure timely completion while maintaining quality standards.

Breakdowns shared during the briefing showed varied progress across components: the main site stands at about 74 per cent completion, the Iftikhar Janjua Underpass at 72 per cent and Jinnah Park Chowk at 71 per cent. Utility ducts are 83 per cent complete, while the pedestrian bridge remains at around 50 per cent.

Officials said the project is being executed at an accelerated pace “for public convenience”, given its importance in easing traffic congestion at one of Rawalpindi’s busiest intersections.

The Kutchery Chowk remodelling is part of a broader push to improve urban mobility in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where growing population and traffic volumes have increased pressure on existing road infrastructure.

Authorities said that once completed, the project will significantly improve traffic flow by separating local and transit traffic through multi-level flyovers and underpasses, reducing bottlenecks at the junction.

However, repeated revisions in cost and timelines highlight the challenges facing large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including weather disruptions, planning adjustments and execution delays.