Rawalpindi Introduces Strict New Rules for Road Cutting

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani has enacted stringent regulations governing road excavation and cutting operations. Ghani expressed concern over rampant road cutting carried out under the guise of development projects, citing the resulting public inconvenience, increased traffic congestion, and squandering of government resources.

To mitigate these issues, the Commissioner has mandated the acquisition of a prior No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any road cutting or excavation activities. Under these new rules, departments and service providers engaged in utility line installation, repair, or relocation must collaborate on their projects and disclose information regarding underground service lines and prospective undertakings to avoid redundant excavation work.

Ghani emphasized that road cutting should only be resorted to as a last resort. When unavoidable, modern techniques such as thrust boring and ducting should be employed to mitigate harm to road surfaces. If road cutting is indeed necessary, the responsible department must restore the road to its initial condition within a 15-day timeframe.

Furthermore, timelines for backfilling and reconstruction must be finalized prior to commencing any work. Ghani also directed that roads recently constructed or rehabilitated should not be subject to service line cutting. Applications for road cutting from utility providers pending approval must be resolved within a three-day period, while requirements for utility shifting should be taken into account during the planning stages of large-scale projects.