Rawalpindi relocates 469 trees and 715 shrubs for three Rs. 8 billion underpasses on Peshawar Road, aiming to protect green cover while easing traffic congestion.
Tree Relocation Instead of Cutting on Peshawar Road
Authorities in Rawalpindi have relocated 469 trees and 715 shrubs from Peshawar Road as work begins on three new underpasses worth Rs. 8 billion. The project, covering key locations between Qasim Market and Chairing Cross, is designed to ease traffic congestion on one of the city’s busiest corridors while responding to concerns about the environmental cost of development.
Instead of cutting down mature trees along the central median and roadside, officials opted to move them to nearby locations. The relocation covers stretches around the Race Course Park, Army Graveyard and Chairing Cross, where the underpasses are planned. This approach reflects a shift in how urban road projects are handled, with more emphasis on preserving existing green cover.
Why Authorities Are Under Pressure to Save Green Cover
The decision to relocate trees rather than simply felling them comes after strong criticism of earlier projects, including tree cutting in Islamabad’s Shakarparian area. In response, the federal and Punjab governments directed departments to avoid cutting trees at development sites wherever possible and to prioritise transplantation and compensatory plantation.
Against this backdrop, the Peshawar Road scheme has been closely watched by environmental groups and local residents. By choosing to move hundreds of trees, authorities are trying to show that major infrastructure work can go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, even if it involves higher costs and logistical challenges.
How Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Managed the Operation
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has led the tree relocation effort. Cantonment Executive Officer Amir Rasheed said the board moved 469 trees and 715 shrubs and replanted them in and around Peshawar Road. The RCB also removed 74 trees that were already dead or beyond recovery from the construction zones.
On the recommendation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, the board has committed to planting ten new trees for each dead one removed from the site. This ten-for-one replacement plan aims to gradually increase the overall tree count and improve air quality in the long term.
The relocated trees include a diverse mix of species such as pilkan, sheesham, alstonia, peepal, dhariak, shireen, terminalia, conocorpus, eucalyptus, pine and ashoke. To support future planting, the RCB has directed its Garden Branch to grow additional saplings in its nurseries so that more trees can be planted once construction is completed.
While tree relocation is a positive step, it is also a technically demanding process. Transplanted trees need careful handling, proper soil preparation and regular watering to survive. Success rates can vary depending on species and weather conditions, so follow-up maintenance by civic bodies will be critical.
New Underpasses, Utilities Shifts and Construction Timeline
On the infrastructure side, the three underpasses are being built along Peshawar Road near Race Course Park, the Army Graveyard and Chairing Cross. These junctions are known bottlenecks where traffic often slows to a crawl, particularly during peak hours. By separating through-traffic from local crossings, the underpasses are expected to provide a smoother, signal-free route for commuters.
Key utility works have already started. Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has shifted electricity pylons from Chairing Cross to the Radio Pakistan area to clear the way for excavation and structural work. According to officials, the Punjab Communication and Works Department will begin formal construction after Eidul Fitr.
What the Project Means for Residents and the Environment
For Rawalpindi’s residents, the project offers a mix of short-term inconvenience and long-term benefit. In the near term, commuters can expect diversions and slower movement. Over time, however, the underpasses should reduce congestion, improve travel times and provide a safer route for motorists using the corridor between Qasim Market and Chairing Cross.
Environmentally, the relocation of trees and the commitment to large-scale replanting suggest a more careful approach to urban development. If the transplanted trees survive and the promised new saplings are properly maintained, the area could see a net gain in greenery despite the heavy construction activity taking place now.
In a growing city, projects like these highlight the importance of balancing infrastructure needs with environmental protection. The success of the Peshawar Road underpasses will not only be measured in minutes saved on daily commutes, but also in how well Rawalpindi manages to protect and expand its tree cover along the way.
