Rawalpindi–Kahuta road project faces delay amid low funding

Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi–Kahuta Road upgradation project is expected to face delays after the federal government allocated only Rs1 billion in the Budget 2026–27, raising concerns about its timely completion. The project involves widening a 28.4-kilometer stretch into a dual carriageway along with key infrastructure components including the Sihala Railway Crossing overhead bridge, Sihala Bypass, and Kahuta Bypass. Approved by ECNEC in July 2023, the scheme has already experienced slow progress, with only about one kilometer of dual carriageway completed near Hothla Stop in the previous fiscal year. Limited development on the Kahuta Bypass has further slowed overall execution. Experts believe funding constraints may impact regional connectivity, travel time, and future development along the corridor. Can improved funding mechanisms accelerate completion of critical transport infrastructure?