Labourers dig Raja Zafarul Haq Road for laying new gas pipeline at Mohalla Dhok Hukamdad, in Rawalpindi on Thursday. — Online
RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration on Thursday told utility services departments that no agency would commence development work without road-cutting permission and a no-objection certificate (NOC).
Commissioner Rawalpindi Salman Ghani issued the directive at a meeting held to review road-cutting permissions and the installation and management of underground utility lines by various government departments.
He said that repeated road cutting in urban areas caused inconvenience to the public, created traffic congestion besides causing wastage of public resources. He said all concerned departments must ensure comprehensive planning and effective coordination before undertaking any road-cutting activity.
The commissioner directed that all departments, organisations and service providers requiring road cutting for the installation, relocation or repair of their services must be brought on board through a coordinated mechanism.
“All relevant departments must share timely information regarding their upcoming projects and underground utility lines to avoid the need to excavate newly constructed roads,” he said.
He stressed that road cutting must remain the last resort. Wherever feasible, modern alternative techniques, including thrust boring and ducting, should be adopted to minimise damage to road surfaces and infrastructure.
Mr Ghani further directed that whenever road cutting is permitted under unavoidable circumstances, the affected road must be restored to its original standard and strength. All restoration work, including refilling and reconstruction, must be completed within 15 days of road cutting, he said.
During the meeting, PTCL’s request for an NOC for work in Shah Khalid Colony Phase II was approved, with a deadline of two days for completion. Similarly, Wasa was granted permission to lay a 12-inch-diameter sewer line at Al-Khidmat Al-Razi Children’s Hospital.
The commissioner directed that the work must be completed within seven days under all circumstances, with an alternative traffic route provided during construction. A request for an NOC to reactivate the colony’s sewerage line on Mushtaq Baig Shaheed Road was also considered, with a two-day completion timeline stipulated.
SNGPL was granted permission to carry out work in 10 localities, including Pirwadhai, Novelty Cinema, Khurshid Cinema, Chhajji Mohalla, Asghar Mall, Fazalabad, Dhoke Hukamdad, Dhoke Kala Khan and Chandni Chowk.
Mr Ghani added that utility shifting and road-cutting requirements must be incorporated into the initial planning stages of all major development projects. He directed that joint meetings of all concerned departments be held before the commencement of any project to ensure proper coordination and prevent roads from being excavated again after project completion.
Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026
