The cost of Rawalpindi’s Kutchery Chowk underpass and overhead bridge project has reportedly increased to Rs. 14.5 billion as authorities speed up construction to meet tight deadlines and manage rising material prices.
Officials have revised the estimated cost of the Kutchery Chowk project after a sharp increase in construction material prices at the beginning of the year, with further escalation not ruled out. To ensure early completion, contractors are working in three shifts while Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak and Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema are personally overseeing progress on a daily basis.
According to officials, reinforced concrete flooring for the underpass has been completed, pillars for overhead bridges have been erected, and drilling work has concluded. Heavy machinery has been removed from the site, while shuttering and lintel work is now in its final stages.
The Kutchery Chowk project covers a stretch of nearly 2.5 kilometers and is one of Rawalpindi’s most critical traffic infrastructure upgrades. The junction currently handles over 200,000 vehicles and motorcycles daily, making it one of the busiest points in the city.
Beyond road construction, authorities are also restoring surrounding infrastructure connected to Fatima Jinnah Women University, the Income Tax Office, Civil Defence offices, municipal buildings, Kachehri Mosque, lawyers’ chambers, nearby residential areas, and schools.
Officials have set January 31 as the deadline for completing ancillary works. From February 1, motorcycle lanes near Kutchery Chowk will be partially opened to ease traffic congestion. Full finishing work is scheduled to begin after Eidul Fitr, after which traffic signals at the junction will be removed to ensure smoother traffic flow.
