Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is currently on the lookout for local bidders for the construction of the Ring Road project that aims to reduce traffic congestion in the garrison city.
According to a news source, the project was proposed in 1991, but funds could not be arranged because ruling governments kept changing. Despite this, the civic authority prepared the project concept (PC) in 2008.
An RDA official said the provincial government is prepared to provide PKR 23 billion for land acquisition and the 800-foot wide right-of-way, while the development firm will finance the construction of the project and be responsible for building economic zones along the road.
The authority plans to acquire 1,084 acres of land for the construction of the road and 1,050 acres for economic zones. According to the PC, the project features a 75-kilometre long road from Chani Sher Alam to Fatehjang with an 800-foot wide right-of -way on both sides.
However, District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dall told reporters that the length of the road would be cut down to 54 kilometres to attract investors and two loops would be added for Rawat and Islamabad. He added that the right-of-way would also be reduced to a 300-foot width.
Reportedly, China and Turkey were contacted to build the road but the RDA failed to attract these foreign investors for the project.
Approximately 200,000 vehicles are currently burdening Islamabad Highway, Airport Road, Murree Road, and I J Principal Road. The completion of the Ring Road will hopefully reduce traffic congestion in the city.
