Nawaz Sharif Flyover to handle over 300,000 vehicles daily
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated two major traffic infrastructure projects in Rawalpindi, declaring them a historic milestone for the city’s long-standing traffic woes.
The Rs8.77 billion mega initiative includes the Nawaz Sharif Flyover on Adiala Road and the GPO Chowk Underpass on the Mall Road.
The projects, completed in record time with high construction standards, were formally opened to the public amidst a warm public welcome, with people showering flower petals and chanting slogans as the chief minister arrived. Maryam Nawaz responded by waving to the cheering crowd.
Flanked by Provincial Minister for Communications & Works Malik Sohaib Bharat and C&W Secretary Sohail Ashraf, the Chief Minister was briefed on the details of the developments, which form part of 67 road projects covering 607 kilometres in Rawalpindi, 51 of which have already been completed.
The Nawaz Sharif Flyover, beginning at Kachhari Chowk on Adiala Road, is expected to handle over 300,000 vehicles daily, significantly easing congestion for traffic coming from GT Road, Ring Road, and Chakri Interchange Motorway. A two-kilometre service road has also been built around the flyover to support smoother traffic flow.
“Commuters from areas like Gorakhpur, Adiala, Khalsa Khurd, Dhalan, Jarrar Camp, and Dhok Awan will benefit from the reduced travel time,” said Maryam Nawaz, adding that the project could save the public over an hour in travel time and millions in fuel costs.
Similarly, the GPO Chowk Underpass, which includes the first-of-its-kind intelligent signal system, will facilitate the passage of more than 200,000 vehicles daily along the Mall Road–TM Chowk signal-free corridor. The two-kilometre-long underpass ensures easier access to the National Highway N-5 via Kashmir Road and will also ease movement toward major medical facilities like CMH, MH, and AFIC.
A dedicated pedestrian underpass near AFIC has also been constructed for public convenience, while the underpass will significantly improve access to Saddar Bazaar, Yellow Station, and nearby neighbourhoods.
“The flyover and underpass are not just development projects, they are game changers for Rawalpindi,” said Maryam Nawaz. “These projects are for the people, and their ease and convenience is my government’s top priority.”
She also announced upcoming remodelling of Kachhari Road and Mall Road, and praised all institutions involved for completing the projects with commitment and efficiency.
“The Awami Fly project will go down in history as a landmark initiative for the people of Rawalpindi,” the Chief Minister concluded.
She also announced to carry out the preparation of projects for laying pipelines for clean drinking water. She announced early resolution of the water supply problem in Murree along with the preparation of the project for the construction and expansion of Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi.
She revealed, “All schools in Rawalpindi are being revamped and will be completed soon. I am personally monitoring the beautification projects of Rawalpindi city.”
She said, “When travellers reach Barian from Murree, where the jurisdiction of Punjab province ends, a visible difference in cleanliness and infrastructure is witnessed. Commendable work of cleanliness is being done across the province under the ‘Suthra’ Punjab Project.”
She added, “Utmost attention has been paid to making the GPO Underpass project flood-safe in every respect. I also express my gratitude to the Frontier Works Organization for extending their due cooperation in the completion of the said projects.”
