Incomplete Toll Plazas Delay Opening of Rawalpindi's 38km Ring Road
The 38-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road has reached completion, but authorities have yet to open it to traffic as work continues on toll plazas and other related facilities.
A senior divisional administration official said the road from Baanth to Thalian is ready, while retaining walls, ramps, greenbelts and other minor works remain pending. The foundations for the toll plazas have been completed, and the Punjab Ring Road Authority will soon build the facilities and install a computerised toll collection system.
Toll plan for the Rawalpindi Ring Road
The authority will collect tolls from public transport, goods vehicles and private vehicles using the road. Officials said the toll rates will likely follow the rates currently charged on Lahore’s ring road.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Salman Ghani inspected the project on Friday and directed officials to complete the remaining work on a priority basis. He ordered immediate work on the toll plazas and weighing stations and called for timely procurement of the hardware and software required for toll operations.
Thalian interchange in the pipeline
Ghani also directed officials to improve road signage and prepare a detailed plan for the proposed Rs5 billion Thalian interchange. The provincial government plans to begin the interchange project after the Ring Road opens, although its revised PC-I remains pending.
The Ring Road will have five interchanges and an industrial zone along its route. The Rawalpindi Development Authority is executing the project, with the Frontier Works Organisation serving as the contractor.
Once open, the road is expected to ease pressure on Rawalpindi’s congested urban routes by diverting through-traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, around the city.
Why the Ring Road matters
The Ring Road has been one of Rawalpindi’s most awaited infrastructure projects. Once operational, the 38km artery will let through-traffic bypass the city’s congested core, cutting travel times for commuters and freight moving between the Grand Trunk Road, the motorway network and the twin cities. The five interchanges are designed to distribute traffic across adjoining areas, while the planned industrial zone could bring new commercial activity to the corridor.
The emphasis on toll plazas and weighing stations reflects the province’s plan to run the road on a self-financing model, with toll revenue funding maintenance. Computerised collection, similar to Lahore’s ring road system, is meant to keep traffic flowing without long queues at booths.
Why is the Rawalpindi Ring Road not open yet?
The 38km road is structurally complete, but toll plazas, weighing stations, retaining walls, ramps and greenbelts are still unfinished.
Who will collect tolls on the Ring Road?
The Punjab Ring Road Authority, which will install a computerised toll collection system. Rates are expected to match Lahore’s ring road.
What is the Thalian interchange?
A proposed Rs5 billion interchange the provincial government plans to build after the Ring Road opens. Its revised PC-I is still pending.
Who is building the Rawalpindi Ring Road?
The Rawalpindi Development Authority is executing the project, with the Frontier Works Organisation as contractor.
