THE inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Flyover on Adiala Road and General Post Office (GPO) underpass on the Mall by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz marks a significant addition to Rawalpindi’s steadily developing infrastructure.
These projects, crucially placed along some of the city’s busiest arteries, promise to bring much-needed relief to thousands of commuters and are a welcome step towards alleviating the city’s chronic traffic congestion.
The completion of the Nawaz Sharif Flyover, which connects Kutchery Chowk with major routes including GT Road, Ring Road and the Chakri Interchange on the Motorway, will significantly ease traffic flow and reduce travel times for both residents and those transiting through the region. Similarly, the GPO underpass on the historically congested Mall Road will facilitate uninterrupted traffic movement in the heart of the city, improving overall urban mobility and enhancing the aesthetic and functional landscape of Rawalpindi. With 67 road infrastructure projects underway—51 of which are already completed—the city appears poised for a much-needed transformation. However, while these new developments deserve appreciation, they also highlight the glaring and long-standing delay of one critical project, the Leh Nullah Expressway. Almost every monsoon season brings renewed devastation as the nullah overflows. The situation demands urgency—not only to address annual flooding but also to finally harness the Expressway’s potential as a strategic transport corridor between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Despite being envisioned as a strategic transport corridor between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the project has seen little real progress. Sheikh Rashid, a prominent politician from Rawalpindi who has held various ministerial positions in past governments, repeatedly made the Leh Expressway a political talking point. Yet, despite his influence and long-standing association with the city, he failed to move the project beyond hollow promises. This unfulfilled commitment has left the city vulnerable and the public disillusioned. Completion of the Leh Nullah Expressway would provide a vital alternative route, significantly easing pressure on other roads connecting the twin cities. Given its multifaceted impact, this project must be treated as a top priority by the provincial and federal governments alike. Similarly there is a need to further expand metro bus like public transport projects covering different routes in the city. Equally noteworthy is the Chief Minister’s announcement of clean drinking water initiatives, particularly in underserved areas such as South Punjab, Potohar and Murree. Access to potable water is a basic right and tackling this issue alongside infrastructural development shows a welcome shift toward holistic governance. We expect that other provinces will also follow the suit to bring ease and comfort in the lives of the people.
