The Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company has approved the establishment of an industrial estate adjacent to the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, replacing earlier plans for an economic zone. The decision follows formal approval through legislation by the Punjab Assembly, after which the land acquisition process is expected to commence.
Ring Road Project Overview
The 38.6-kilometer-long Rawalpindi Ring Road, stretching from the Banth Interchange on GT Road to the Thalian Interchange on the motorway, is in its final phase of completion under a revised PC-I costing Rs51 billion. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-June. However, construction of the Thalian Interchange, designated as a broad-based interchange, has been delayed. Authorities plan to inaugurate and open the ring road for traffic without waiting for its completion, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) will later complete the connecting route from Thalian to Sangjani.
Business Community Demands
The business community has long advocated for the establishment of an economic zone along both sides of the ring road. Punjab Minister for Industries Chaudhry Shafay Hussain had earlier announced approval for such a project during a visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, business leaders were informed that tax exemptions and incentives required for an economic zone could not be granted due to IMF-related policy constraints.
Officials instead proposed the development of an industrial estate, for which land acquisition could proceed under Section 4 after approval from the Punjab Assembly. Under the proposed plan, land would be acquired and made available to industrial investors at affordable rates to encourage large-scale industrial development in the region.
Industry Response
RCCI President Usman Shaukat confirmed that an industrial estate, instead of an economic zone, is now a realistic option for the Ring Road area. He stated that industrialists would be willing to establish industries there if land is provided at reasonable prices.
Project Status
Four of the five interchanges on the Ring Road—Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala, and Chakri—are nearing completion along with the main route. The project is likely to open for traffic after an inauguration ceremony in mid-June.
