Kachehry Chowk project cost rises to Rs19 billion amid delay

RAWALPINDI: The cost of the District Kachehry underpass, overhead bridge and pedestrian bridges project has increased from Rs16 billion to Rs19 billion, with officials attributing the rise to sharp increases in the prices of construction materials, including cement, sand and steel.

The project has also been pushed back by 30 days after Eid holidays and heavy rains over the past three weeks affected the pace of work. It had originally been scheduled for completion on April 30, but is now expected to be finished by May 30 or 31. Preparations for the inauguration have been stopped.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has taken notice of the delay and directed the relevant authorities to complete the work without any further extension beyond May 30.

The scheme has also affected access to the district courts area. The 200-year-old main gate of the district courts, along with adjoining routes used by NAB, anti-corruption, narcotics, customs, special courts and labour courts, has been closed because of the project.

The closure has triggered protests by judges, court staff and lawyers. District administration officials said reopening the gate was not within their powers, while the alternative routes were considered unsafe, leading to the matter being taken to the High Court.

Authorities cited security concerns, saying that if access was restored, fast-moving official vehicles could face risks.

Construction progress reviewed

During a visit with Frontier Works Organisation officials, the commissioner reviewed the pace of construction. Engineers and contractors informed him that work was continuing in double shifts and that overall progress had reached 76 per cent.

According to the briefing, physical progress at the Kachehry intersection stood at 74 per cent, while work at Iftikhar Janjua had reached 72 per cent and at Annex Chowk 71 per cent.

Officials also said utility ducts were 83 per cent complete, pedestrian bridges 50 per cent, the tube well 96 per cent and the retaining wall 98 per cent complete. Installation of plants and poles has entered the final stage.

The project was launched on November 3, 2025, and officials said May 2026 remains the final completion timeline.

The District Kachehry project is being described as a state-of-the-art scheme comprising an underpass, an overhead bridge and pedestrian bridges. The latest review came as the administration sought to keep the work on track after the revised deadline and cost escalation.