Punjab's industrial estate approval for Rawalpindi Ring Road signals a significant boost for local businesses, with land acquisition set to commence shortly.
The Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company has given the green light to an industrial estate along the Rawalpindi Ring Road project. This development follows formal approval through legislation by the Punjab Assembly, marking a crucial step towards boosting industrial activity in the region. The 38.6-kilometre-long Rawalpindi Ring Road, which stretches from Banth Interchange on GT Road to Thalian Interchange on the motorway, is now entering its final phase of completion under a revised PC-I costing Rs51 billion. Expected to be completed by mid-June, the project will see the inauguration and opening for traffic without waiting for full completion.
However, construction of the Thalian Interchange, designated as a broad-based interchange, has experienced delays. Nevertheless, authorities plan to proceed with the ring road's inauguration ceremony in mid-June, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) will later complete the connecting route from Thalian to Sangjani. Business leaders had long advocated for an economic zone along both sides of the ring road, but officials have now proposed developing an industrial estate instead.
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. Instead, officials proposed developing an industrial estate where land acquisition could proceed under Section 4 after approval from the Punjab Assembly.
Under this new plan, land will be acquired and made available at affordable rates to encourage large-scale industrial development in the region. RCCI President Usman Shaukat confirmed that an industrial estate is now a realistic option for the Ring Road area. He industrialists would be willing to establish industries there if land was provided at reasonable prices.
Currently, 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 expected to open for traffic after an inauguration ceremony in mid-June, providing a significant boost to local businesses and industrial growth in Rawalpindi.
