The Punjab government has set a new December 30 deadline for utility companies to shift underground all electricity, gas, and telephone lines in Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market, where a major pedestrianization project is underway to transform the busy shopping area into a car-free zone. The revised target aims to speed up stalled work and restore smooth business activity in the area.
Commercial Market’s conversion into a pedestrian street began last month under a Rs. 300 million beautification plan launched by the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation. The project includes removing illegal encroachments, dismantling tangled overhead cables, and introducing uniform shop signboards. However, the initiative has faced delays due to slow progress by Iesco, SNGPL, and PTCL, which must move their service lines underground before surface-level work can continue.
Officials said the relocation of gas pipelines remains a key requirement before the final beautification phase begins. During a review meeting, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi directed all departments to complete their underground tasks by December 30 so that RMC can move forward without interruptions. He emphasized that although the original completion deadline was June 30, the government now wants the pedestrian street opened by March or April.
Traders in the area have expressed concern as prolonged digging has reduced customer footfall. RMC officials acknowledged the frustration and said new guidelines require standardized signboards, whitewashed building exteriors, and improved pedestrian pathways to give the market a clean, modern look.
“The project will ultimately help revive business and turn Commercial Market into a family-friendly shopping destination,” an official said.