Land Acquisition Expanded for Key Motorway Link
Work on the Rs. 5 billion Thalian Interchange will begin next week. The interchange is part of the larger Rawalpindi Ring Road project. Officials confirmed that preparations are complete for construction to start.
The divisional administration is acquiring additional land for the project. Authorities have called a meeting to secure 358 more kanals near the motorway. The original plan allocated 557 kanals for the interchange. However, design revisions increased land requirements.
Officials have already imposed Section 14 to move forward with land acquisition. The process is expected to be completed soon. The administration wants to avoid delays in construction.
Aamer Khattak, the Divisional Commissioner, chaired a high-level meeting. The meeting focused on resolving issues related to houses located within the project area. Authorities aim to settle compensation and relocation matters within days.
The Thalian Interchange is considered a critical part of the Ring Road. The interchange will connect directly with the motorway. More than 18,000 vehicles are expected to merge at this junction daily. Officials say the new link will ease traffic congestion in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Construction Progress Speeds Up on Ring Road
The Frontier Works Organisation has received instructions to begin groundwork immediately. Preparatory work is already underway.
R3 Deputy Project Director Ashfaq Sulheri shared progress details. Contractors have completed 28 kilometers of asphalt work. The total stretch of the Ring Road spans 38.3 kilometers.
Work on other interchanges and overpasses has already been completed. Installation of lampposts and lighting systems has started. Crews have also installed jersey barriers along several sections.
Water channel construction is near completion. Officials expect this work to finish within two weeks. Authorities are pushing for rapid progress to meet deadlines.
After including the Thalian Interchange, the total project cost has increased to Rs. 47 billion. The Ring Road will feature five interchanges. It will operate as a six-lane controlled access corridor. The design speed is set at 120 kilometers per hour.
Toll Model and Future Plans
Authorities have decided to adopt the toll model of the Lahore Ring Road. The proposed toll rate is Rs. 80 per vehicle. A summary will be sent to the Punjab government next week for final approval.
Officials believe the toll system will help recover project costs. It will also ensure smooth maintenance of the corridor. The Ring Road is expected to boost regional connectivity. It will reduce travel time and support economic growth in the region.
The Thalian Interchange remains a focal point of the project. Its completion will strengthen the motorway connection. Authorities say the next few weeks are crucial for land acquisition and early construction phases.
With work starting next week, the Rawalpindi Ring Road project moves closer to completion. The new interchange promises better traffic flow, improved safety, and faster travel for thousands of daily commuters.
