RAWALPINDI – The inauguration of the Rawalpindi Ring Road has once again become uncertain, with the planned August 14 opening now at risk due to an ongoing legal dispute.
Reports said construction of the project’s main route has been completed. However, a controversy surrounding the no-objection certificate (NOC) for the service area has delayed the final decision on opening the road.
The case involving the NOC for the 102-kanal and 14-marla service area is scheduled for hearing in the Lahore High Court on July 16. The outcome of the proceedings is expected to influence the project’s inauguration.
Reports indicated that the Ring Road project has already missed six announced opening deadlines and has yet to be made operational for the public.
The service area NOC controversy previously led to the removal of five officials, including the former commissioner and former deputy commissioner.
The new Rawalpindi administration is awaiting both the court’s ruling and the inquiry report before taking further steps.
Reports said the role of various forums involved in approving the NOC is being reviewed as part of the ongoing examination of the matter.
The Rawalpindi Ring Road is a 38.3-kilometre, six-lane access-controlled highway designed to ease traffic around Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The route begins at the Banth Interchange on the N-5 GT Road near Rawat and extends to the Thalian Interchange on the M-2 Motorway, close to Islamabad International Airport.
