Rawalpindi Development Authority has proposed a Rs 9bn plan to add service lanes and rehabilitate Murree Road from Saddar to Faizabad for smoother travel.
Major Upgrade Planned for Rawalpindi’s Busiest Corridor
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has finalised two major projects to upgrade Murree Road, one of the busiest and most important routes linking Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The combined cost of these schemes is estimated at around Rs 9 billion.
Murree Road runs from Saddar in Rawalpindi to Faizabad, where it connects to Islamabad’s road network. Every day, thousands of commuters, public transport vehicles and goods carriers use this corridor. Over time, heavy traffic and lack of regular rehabilitation have left the road surface and supporting infrastructure in poor condition, leading to congestion, slow travel and frequent maintenance issues.
New Service Lanes from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk
RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said that the Punjab government had asked civic bodies to submit improvement plans for Rawalpindi, and Murree Road was identified as a top priority. In response, the RDA prepared a plan to construct new service roads and remove bottlenecks along key sections of the route.
Under the first and largest project, valued at Rs 8.1 billion, the authority plans to build service lanes on both sides of Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk. These additional lanes are intended to separate local traffic, such as shoppers and residents, from through-traffic heading towards Faizabad and Islamabad.
Once completed, the project will make the corridor signal-free from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad. This means that vehicles will be able to move with fewer stops, reducing travel time and easing pressure on key junctions. Existing service lanes between Chandni Chowk and Faizabad will support the new additions, creating a more continuous network of side roads.
Land Acquisition and Design Work Underway
According to Kinza Murtaza, most of the funding for the first project will be spent on acquiring land needed to widen the corridor. In many areas, buildings and commercial structures are located very close to the current road, leaving little space for additional lanes.
The RDA has already started surveys for land acquisition to identify exactly which plots will be affected and how much space is required. Once the Punjab government releases funds, detailed design work will be finalised, including road alignment, drainage, pedestrian facilities and connections with existing service roads.
Officials believe that although land acquisition is costly and can be time-consuming, it is essential if Murree Road is to handle growing traffic flows over the coming years. A wider, better-managed corridor should lead to smoother traffic and fewer choke points.
Rehabilitation of Main Murree Road from Saddar to Faizabad
The second project focuses on improving the main carriageway of Murree Road itself. With an estimated cost of Rs 953 million, this scheme will cover the stretch from Saddar Flashman’s to Faizabad.
The plan includes full-scale re-carpeting of the road surface, which has not been carried out since 2014, when the Metro Bus elevated track was constructed. Years of constant use, patchwork repairs and heavy vehicles have left many sections uneven and damaged.
By laying a fresh, properly designed asphalt layer, the RDA aims to improve ride quality, reduce vehicle wear and tear and enhance safety, especially during rain when potholes and broken patches can become hazardous.
What the Project Means for Commuters and the City
Together, the two projects are expected to significantly change how traffic flows along Murree Road. Dedicated service lanes should give local businesses better access while keeping long-distance traffic moving in the main lanes. A signal-free stretch from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad is likely to cut journey times for daily commuters travelling between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The RDA has formally requested funding from the Punjab government and plans to submit both schemes under Rawalpindi’s upcoming mega development package. If timely approval and release of funds are secured, work could begin soon, though construction may initially cause some disruption.
In the longer term, officials argue that the Rs 9 billion investment will pay off through improved mobility, lower congestion costs and better access for trade and services along one of the region’s most critical urban corridors.
