Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has finalized its Rs. 8.76 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, following a two-month delay. However, the budget does not include any allocation for the improvement or rehabilitation of Murree Road.
The budget was reviewed by the finance sub-committee headed by Rawalpindi Commissioner and RDA Director General Salman Ghani and has now been forwarded to the Punjab government for final approval.
Rs. 3.917 Billion Allocated for Development
Of the total budget, Rs. 3.917 billion has been earmarked for ongoing and new development projects across Rawalpindi.
A major allocation includes the 38.3-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road R3 Project, which will connect Banth on N-5 with Thalian on M-2. The project has been allocated Rs. 3 million.
The authority has also set aside Rs. 5 million for the feasibility study and detailed design of Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase-II, which is planned to extend from Thalian on M-2 to GT Road on N-5.
Another Rs. 1 million has been allocated for the feasibility study and detailed design of a trunk and outfall sewer along the Nullah Leh corridor.
Housing, Parking and Planning Projects
The RDA budget also includes several studies and infrastructure-related schemes, including a feasibility survey for the RDA Housing Scheme, a review of the Rawalpindi Master Plan and a physical survey to assess traffic and planning requirements.
The authority has allocated Rs. 572 million for residential apartments for officials, Rs. 450 million for multi-storey buildings on vacant RDA plots and Rs. 368 million for parking facilities in different areas.
An additional Rs. 154 million has been earmarked for feasibility studies and geotechnical investigations, while Rs. 10 million will be spent on improvements to the Fawara Chowk Parking Plaza.
RDA Revenue and Funding
The authority expects to generate Rs. 4.482 billion through its own sources, while another Rs. 3.917 billion is expected through Punjab government grants, the Annual Development Programme and deposit works.
Major sources of RDA’s own revenue include Rs. 450 million from commercialization fees, Rs. 350 million from building plan fees and Rs. 300 million from scrutiny fees collected from housing societies.
The absence of a dedicated allocation for Murree Road improvement has drawn attention, particularly as the authority moves forward with major road, housing, parking and planning initiatives under its 2026-27 development budget.
