PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi inaugurated the newly built Hayatabad Toll Plaza Underpass on Thursday, a Rs1.6 billion project completed in 90 days.
The 500-metre underpass carries two traffic lanes and includes a 130-metre barrel resting on 665 piles. It connects Detour Road on the Bara side with Ring Road, giving motorists a more direct route through one of Peshawar’s busiest corridors.
Officials said the project would ease pressure on the Hayatabad Toll Plaza and nearby roads, cutting delays for daily commuters, particularly during rush hours.
Project details
The underpass was designed to untangle one of the city’s worst traffic bottlenecks. The 130-metre covered barrel section allows through-traffic to pass beneath the toll plaza junction without stopping, while the open ramps on either side feed vehicles in from Detour Road and Ring Road.
Engineers drove 665 piles to support the structure, a measure officials said was necessary given the soil conditions and the volume of heavy vehicles using the route. The two-lane cross-section keeps the construction compact while still separating the heaviest flows from local traffic.
The provincial government had set the 90-day deadline when work began, making the underpass one of the fastest infrastructure projects completed in the province in recent years. Officials credited round-the-clock shifts and close monitoring from the chief minister’s office for keeping the work on schedule.
Relief for daily commuters
Hayatabad is home to tens of thousands of residents, along with hospitals, universities and commercial centres that draw traffic from across Peshawar. The toll plaza junction has long been a choke point, with long queues forming at peak times. The route also serves traffic heading towards Bara road and the outskirts, which previously had to circle through congested intersections near the plaza.
Officials said the new facility would improve traffic management across the area and save commuters valuable time each day. Local residents at the ceremony welcomed the opening, saying the 90-day completion showed what focused execution could achieve.
Who attended the inauguration
Several provincial cabinet members attended the ceremony, including Meena Khan Afridi, Shafi Jan, Mian Umar Kakakhel and Adil Iqbal. Members of the National Assembly Junaid Akbar and Asif Khan were also present, along with other parliamentarians, party leaders and local residents.
How long did the Hayatabad underpass take to build?
The underpass was completed in 90 days, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
What is the cost of the Hayatabad underpass?
The project cost Rs1.6 billion.
Which roads does the underpass connect?
It connects Detour Road on the Bara side with Ring Road in Peshawar, bypassing the Hayatabad Toll Plaza junction.
