Murree Road Expansion Project in Rawalpindi Delayed Due to Funding Shortfall

The Punjab government has postponed the long-awaited Murree Road expansion project in Rawalpindi, citing a shortage of funds, while several other major public development schemes in the city have also been put on hold.

According to official sources, the project—stretching from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk—has been dropped from the current fiscal year 2025–26, and no funds will be released for it before August 31, 2026. The road was last carpeted in 2014, and commuters continue to face severe traffic congestion on the busy corridor throughout the day.

Authorities had earlier proposed widening Murree Road by 20 feet on both sides, acquiring additional land, and constructing 15-foot-wide service roads. The estimated cost of the project was around Rs. 9 billion, but rising financial constraints forced the government to defer the plan to the 2026–27 fiscal year, with officials warning that costs may increase further.

In addition to Murree Road, three other major infrastructure projects in Rawalpindi have also been excluded from the current development budget. These include the Leh Nullah Expressway, the sewerage tunnel, and a sewerage water treatment plant.

Authorities have also terminated a separate project aimed at fencing both sides of Lai Nullah to prevent illegal dumping of waste and construction material. Work on Lai Nullah has remained stalled since 2007, with the project’s estimated cost escalating from Rs. 17 billion to nearly Rs. 100 billion over the years.

The repeated delays have raised concerns among residents, who say the suspension of these projects will further worsen traffic congestion, sanitation issues, and urban infrastructure challenges in Rawalpindi.

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