NESPAK Picks Cheapest Route for Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase II

Rawalpindi: NESPAK has completed the preliminary feasibility study for Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase II and proposed three alignment options for linking the project with the wider motorway and CPEC network. The preferred option is to widen the existing M-2 Motorway from three to five lanes on each side over approximately 15.3 kilometres, at an estimated cost of Rs9 billion. The other options include a 19.5-kilometre eastern corridor costing Rs18 billion and a 26.5-kilometre western corridor costing Rs24 billion. NESPAK considers the motorway-widening plan more practical because it could reduce construction costs by 50–60 percent, require less land acquisition and allow faster completion. The recommendations are expected to be placed before the Punjab government for approval.