Rawalpindi Ring Road to open without Thalian interchange

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided not to begin construction of the Thalian interchange on the motorway before opening the Rawalpindi Ring Road, and will instead make the project operational through a two-way carriageway, according to officials.

A senior official of the divisional administration said the Ring Road project had entered its final stage and was expected to be completed by the end of May. The official said the road structure had largely taken shape and horticulture work had started along the main corridor.

The same official said work had started on widening the Thalian section, where the Ring Road connects with the motorway, because more than 18,000 vehicles are expected to move from the Ring Road onto the motorway. The widening is being carried out to prevent long traffic queues at that point, the official added.

Interchange work deferred

Deputy Project Director of Rawalpindi Ring Road Ashfaq Sulheri said the Rs5 billion Thalian interchange project would not begin immediately. He said the authorities had opted to use a two-way carriageway so traffic could access the motorway and the Ring Road could be made functional.

Mr Sulheri said there were some issues and that the interchange would be built after the completion of the Ring Road. He added that the National Highway Authority was also expanding the service road to handle the expected traffic load.

He further said the Project Management Unit had submitted a revised PC-I for the Ring Road that included the Thalian interchange, but the government had decided to take up that portion later so the road could be opened first.

Work under way in three shifts

On construction progress, Mr Sulheri said the Punjab government had instructed the project management unit to accelerate work so the scheme could be finished before the monsoon season. “We have now started working in three shifts. The Soan Bridge has been completed, work on the railway bridge is under way with girder casting started, and asphalt work has begun. So far, over 28 kilometres of the road has been completed,” he added.

He said work on interchanges, bridges and road surfacing was now continuing at the same time in an effort to offset a three-month slowdown during the monsoon. He added that October and November had been targeted to recover the delay.

Project scope and cost

According to project details, the Rawalpindi Ring Road will span 38.3 kilometres and include five interchanges at Banth, Chak Baili Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road and Thalian. An industrial zone is also planned along the route.

The project’s cost has risen from Rs33 billion to Rs47 billion. Officials said any further increase in price would be adjusted at the end of the project.

The latest decision means the Ring Road is set to become operational before the Thalian interchange is taken up, with interim traffic arrangements being put in place at the motorway connection.