RAWALPINDI: Despite the allocation of Rs23.84 billion in the federal budget 2025-26 for the dualisation of the Soan Camp-Model Town-Kahuta Road (28.4 km), along with the Sihala Railway Crossing flyover and Kahuta bypass project, construction work has failed to progress beyond one kilometre even after 11 months.
Project Background
According to details, the mega infrastructure project, approved by the ECNEC on July 27, 2023, was meant to upgrade the key Rawalpindi-Kahuta road into a dual carriageway and improve connectivity to Azad Kashmir via Rawalakot and Kotli, giving it strategic importance as a defence-linked route.
However, despite budgetary allocations in the current fiscal year, no significant development work has taken place. Only around one kilometre of road widening and carpeting from Kahuta Y-Cross to Hothla Stop was completed before work came to a halt, with no visible progress on the remaining 27.4 km or marking for dualisation.
Flyover Component Delayed
The Sihala Railway Crossing flyover component of the project has also not been initiated, further delaying the overall scheme. The slow pace of work has worsened traffic congestion on the route, causing daily difficulties for commuters, including frequent accidents, delays, and disruptions to business and official travel.
