The Remodeling of Kachehri Chowk was a much-needed project. This bustling junction in Rawalpindi has long been one of the city’s most congested traffic points. Serving as the intersection of multiple major arteries, including GT Road, Jhelum Road, Old Airport Road and others, it sees over 200,000 vehicles passing through daily.
To ease this gridlock and modernise the route, the provincial authorities have launched a major remodeling initiative.
Background of Kachehri Chowk
Kachehri Chowk lies at the heart of Rawalpindi’s urban fabric, linking the cantonment area, Rawalpindi city and the GT Road highway corridor. Previously, traffic signals and multiple intersecting roads at this junction caused;
- frequent delays
- long queues
- high fuel consumption
- elevated pollution levels
Therefore, the need for the remodeling of Kachehri Chowk had been in discussion for years. As a result, the redesign of the intersection was approved as early as 2022, for Rs 4.879 billion (later revised to Rs 6.422 billion) with a two‑year completion target.
However, due to land acquisition, scope changes and security concerns (given the area’s proximity to military zones), the project underwent revisions, and a fresh, larger-scale design was approved in 2025.
What is the Remodeling of Kachehri Chowk Project?
The Kachehri Chowk Remodeling Project is one of Rawalpindi’s most significant urban development initiatives, designed to resolve decades of traffic congestion at one of the city’s busiest intersections. The project involves the construction of two flyovers and three underpasses, creating a signal-free corridor that will connect key routes such as GT Road, Jhelum Road, Old Airport Road, and Saddar.
Spanning from the Police Annexy area to University Chowk, it forms part of the Punjab Development Projects 2025, aimed at easing traffic flow and modernizing the city’s infrastructure.
Once completed, the remodeled Kachehri Chowk will drastically cut travel time, reduce vehicle congestion, and enhance connectivity between central Rawalpindi and key government, commercial, and residential areas, making it a landmark upgrade in the city’s transportation network and benefiting the traffic flow to Islamabad as well.
How Kachehri Chowk Will Ease Traffic in Rawalpindi
The Remodeling of Kachehri Chowk Project is set to transform one of Rawalpindi’s busiest intersections into a modern, signal-free corridor that ensures smoother and safer mobility across the city. This development promises long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits for both commuters and businesses in the region.
Here are the key benefits of Kachehri Chowk Redevelopment.
- Reduced congestion: With grade‑separated infrastructure (flyovers/underpasses), signal delays are expected to drop significantly, easing the flow of the 200,000+ vehicles daily.
- Faster travel times: Commuters from Rawat, Old Airport, Saddar, etc., will benefit from smoother routes and fewer stops.
- Lower fuel consumption & emissions: Less idling at bottlenecks means fuel savings and reduced pollution.
- Improved connectivity: The junction links major roads (Old Airport, Jhelum Road, GT Road) and improved infrastructure enhances access for business, logistics and residents.
- Urban uplift: Upgraded transport infrastructure often leads to increased real‑estate values and better commercial prospects in the vicinity.
Mega Parking Plaza Upnext Near Kachehri Chowk
The Punjab government has approved the construction of a mega parking plaza near Kachehri Chowk as part of the ongoing Kachehri Chowk Remodeling Project, aiming to ease chronic traffic and parking congestion in central Rawalpindi.
Planned on vacant land within Jinnah Park, the multi-storey facility will accommodate over 1,000 vehicles, covering around eight kanals with a basement and three floors. Valued at approximately Rs 1.25 billion, the project is in its final approval stage and will take about one year to complete, aligning with the remodeling timeline to ensure coordinated delivery.
The plaza is designed to relieve pressure on Mushtaq Baig Road, Jhelum Road, and surrounding areas, offering a safe and organized alternative to on-street parking near the district courts and government offices.
Meanwhile, construction work is already underway on two flyovers and three underpasses at Kachehri Chowk and Jinnah Park, supported by a detailed traffic diversion plan to maintain mobility during development.
Challenges & Practical Considerations
During construction, the full closure of the junction and surrounding routes is expected to cause temporary disruption. Moreover, cost escalation is possible given rising material and labour costs, as earlier estimates have already been revised.
While the short‑term disruption will be significant, the long‑term payoff in reduced travel time, improved connectivity and urban enhancement makes it a critical project for the city’s future.
