Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi : ReNews Pakistan
The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) has completed the preliminary feasibility study for the proposed Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase II, which will connect Thalian Interchange with Hakla Interchange as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route development.
According to official sources, NESPAK has prepared three alignment options for the project and will submit them, along with its technical recommendations, to the Punjab Cabinet for final approval.
The feasibility study identifies the expansion of the existing M-2 Motorway as the most practical, economical and technically feasible solution. Under this proposal, the current three lanes on each side of the motorway would be widened to five lanes in each direction along a 15.3 kilometre stretch. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs9 billion.
The second option proposes constructing a new 19.5 kilometre highway on the eastern side of the motorway at an estimated cost of Rs18 billion. The third option envisages a 26.5 kilometre western corridor, with an estimated cost of Rs24 billion, making it the longest and most expensive alternative under consideration.
According to the feasibility report, widening the existing motorway could reduce overall construction costs by 50 to 60 percent compared with the two new corridor options. The study highlights that the availability of existing infrastructure, significantly lower land acquisition requirements and a shorter construction timeline make the motorway expansion the preferred option.
The report also outlines several engineering and operational challenges, including traffic management during construction, right-of-way constraints and interchange improvements. However, NESPAK concludes that these challenges are manageable and are outweighed by the financial and operational advantages of upgrading the existing motorway.
In contrast, the western alignment has been assessed as the least feasible option because it would require extensive land acquisition and substantially higher investment, while offering limited additional benefits compared with the recommended motorway expansion.
The Punjab Cabinet is expected to review the three proposals before taking a final decision on the project's alignment and implementation strategy.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has intensified its enforcement campaign against illegal construction by sealing 11 buildings, including a multi storey structure, during a major operation conducted across various housing schemes in the city.
According to an RDA spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the directions of the competent authority as part of the authority’s continuing efforts to curb unauthorized construction and ensure compliance with approved building plans and development regulations.
The enforcement team sealed eight illegally constructed residential buildings and two commercial buildings found to be in violation of planning and construction laws. In addition, a multi storey building was sealed after officials determined that it had deviated from its approved building plan and breached other applicable building regulations.
The action was taken under the provisions of the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976, the Rawalpindi Development Authority Building and Zoning Regulations, and other relevant urban planning laws governing construction and land development.
The operation was supervised by Deputy Director Planning Muhammad Daud, accompanied by Building Inspector Shafiqur Rahman and members of the RDA Enforcement Squad. Officials inspected multiple sites before taking action against buildings found to be non compliant with the approved development framework.
The RDA said the campaign forms part of its broader strategy to discourage illegal construction, strengthen urban planning standards and prevent unregulated development that could compromise public safety and infrastructure.
The authority emphasized that unauthorized buildings not only violate planning regulations but also create long term challenges for civic infrastructure, traffic management and public services. Officials noted that strict enforcement is essential to maintaining orderly urban growth and preserving the integrity of approved housing schemes.
The spokesperson further stated that the ongoing crackdown is intended to protect the interests of genuine property owners, homebuyers and investors by ensuring that construction activities comply with legal requirements and approved development plans.
Reaffirming the authority’s commitment to transparent enforcement, the spokesperson said the RDA would continue taking legal action against unauthorized construction without discrimination and warned developers and property owners against undertaking any building activity without obtaining the required approvals from the relevant authorities.

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has directed the Communication and Works (C&W) Department to complete the Rawalpindi/Murree/Kohala (RMK) Road project by August, accelerating efforts to improve connectivity between Rawalpindi, Murree and Kohala while easing growing traffic congestion on the Murree Expressway.
The directive was issued by Punjab Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth during an inspection of the under construction project, which forms a key component of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Murree Development Plan. The minister, accompanied by senior officials of the C&W Department, reviewed construction quality and progress along more than 31 kilometres of the road corridor.
Officials briefed the minister that the project has reached approximately 60% physical completion, with work on the remaining sections continuing at an accelerated pace to meet the government's completion target. Bharth instructed the department to ensure that the August deadline is achieved without compromising engineering quality, construction standards or public safety.
Once completed, the RMK Road is expected to provide an alternative and more efficient route to Murree and Kohala, significantly improving regional connectivity. The project is also intended to reduce travel time, enhance road safety, facilitate economic activity and strengthen tourism infrastructure by offering better access to one of Punjab’s busiest hill destinations.
The upgraded road is expected to ease pressure on the Murree Expressway, which experiences heavy traffic, particularly during weekends, holidays and peak tourist seasons. Improved road infrastructure is also anticipated to benefit local communities by enhancing access to markets, services and economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, construction-related closures along portions of the RMK Road have diverted a substantial volume of traffic onto the Murree Expressway at a time when tourist arrivals continue to increase. In response, the City Traffic Police Murree has introduced a special traffic management plan to minimise congestion and maintain smooth traffic flow.
Under the plan, additional traffic personnel have been deployed at key intersections, major roads and popular tourist destinations across Murree. Authorities have also advised motorists to use alternative routes wherever possible, follow official traffic advisories and cooperate with traffic wardens to reduce delays during the ongoing construction period.
The Punjab government has reiterated that timely completion of the project remains a priority, describing the RMK Road as an important infrastructure initiative that will improve mobility, strengthen regional integration and support the long-term development of the Murree tourism corridor.