RAWALPINDI: In light of `security concerns`, the Rawalpindi administration has decided to revamp the Kutchery Chowk project which was initially designed at a cost of Rs6.4 billion to remove traffic congestion at the crowded square.

Originally, the project included the construction of an overhead bridge and an underpass, but now these structures have been removed from the plan due to `security concerns` apparently expressed by the garrison authorities.

The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) was awarded the contract for the project, but the garrison authorities did not give a green signal.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, who visited the site of the project on Monday, told Dawn that the project would continue but with some changes. `We have decided to drop the construction of the flyover and underpass due to security concerns,` he said,adding that now roads will be widened only to ease the flow of traffic.

He said that the signal-free corridor will start from Ammar Chowk to the Motorway Chowk and the expansion of Kutchery Chowk would ease the traffic flow at the main square. He claimed the cost of the project would be reduced and added the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had been asked to come up with a new plan within a few days. He did not provide the revised cost of the project.

According to the commissioner, initially, 80 marlas were required for the construction of the flyover, underpass and roads, but now 170 marlas would be required.

`As per the initial estimates, Fatima Jinnah Women University, the commissioner`s office, income tax offices and other departments had to surrender their land for the public interest project,` he said, adding that additional lanes would be added to the existing track and service roads would also be constructed along with footpaths. He said that to ensure that the expansion of the main square would not disturb the traffic flow, the traffic police have been asked to make an immediate plan.Earlier, the provincial government released Rs1 billion for the project but in June, the RDA surrendered the funds. The RDA awarded the contract for the remodelling to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and it submitted a traffic plan as well so the construction work did not disturb the traffic. However, the project remained stalled due to the apprehensions of the garrison authorities.

According to the original design of the project, a two-lane flyover was supposed to be constructed for Rawat to Saddarbound traffic, a two-lane flyover for Marrir to Rawat-bound traffic and a twolane exit ramp for Rawat to Airport-bound traffic. A 2+2 lane underpass for Airport to Saddar-bound and an underpass for Iftikhar Janjua Road to Airport-bound traffic was also slated to be constructed.

The flyover would have been constructed to cater to traffic coming from Rawat after the construction of the Kharian motorway which would connect with Grand Trunk Road and the upcoming Rawalpindi Ring Road.

However, the underpass and the flyover have been removed from the design and now only additional lanes would be added to the existing tracks.