If you drive through Rawalpindi on a regular basis, your route is about to change for a while. The Peshawar Road remodeling project is starting this week, and the City Traffic Police (CTP) have already worked out where the traffic is supposed to go once the barriers go up.
Why This Road Matters to So Many People
Peshawar Road isn’t just another street. It connects Saddar, Range Road, and a good chunk of Rawalpindi’s commercial area, so when work starts here, it’s felt across the whole city, not just by the people living nearby. Shopkeepers, office workers, students, everyone who uses this stretch will feel it in some way. The upside is that once the remodeling is done, the road should handle traffic far better than it does now. The downside, at least for the coming weeks, is a bit of chaos while things get sorted out.
What the CTP Has Actually Planned
Here’s the part that matters most for commuters. The CTP traffic plan puts over 250 officers on duty, split across three shifts, so someone is managing the roads at almost any hour. A few of these officers will also be posted on the alternate routes, not just the construction site itself.
The main changes to keep in mind:
- Going from Saddar towards Peshawar Road? Take Abid Majeed Road, then Sher Khan Chowk.
- Coming from Range Road heading to Saddar or 22 Number? Sher Khan Chowk and Khattak Chowk are your new path.
- Travelling from Peshawar Road back to Saddar during work hours? You’ll be routed through Allahabad Turn, Haali Road, and the service road opposite Rafay Mall.
- More diversion points will pop up along the way as the construction moves forward, so don’t be surprised if the route shifts again in a few weeks.
What It Means for the Average Commuter
Most people in Rawalpindi aren’t hopping on a metro to get to work, they’re on a bike, in a rickshaw, or driving their own car, which means route changes hit harder here than in cities with more transport options. Give yourself a bit of grace the first few days. Everyone gets a little lost the first time they try Haali Road instead of their usual path. Road-work disruptions aren’t unique to Pindi either. Punjab has seen its share of these adjustments lately, and drivers are generally being told to check updates before heading out, the same advice that came up recently around suspended license enforcement in Lahore.
Quick things to do before you head out:
- Pull up Google Maps before leaving, not after you’re stuck
- Add 10 to 15 minutes to your usual commute
- Skip Peshawar Road during work hours if you can help it
- Keep an eye on CTP’s social media for last-minute changes
- Let your driver or rider know about the new routes too, they’ll thank you later
Conclusion
Nobody enjoys detours, especially when they show up out of nowhere. But this one comes with fair warning, and if Rawalpindi residents plan around it a little, the next few weeks shouldn’t be too painful. Stay updated, leave a bit early, and remember, this short-term hassle is meant to make Peshawar Road a lot easier to drive on down the line.
