News
Rawalpindi Makes NOC Mandatory for Road Excavation, Orders Repairs Within 15 Days
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
2 min read
The divisional administration in Rawalpindi has directed utility providers and government departments to obtain road-cutting permission and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before beginning excavation work. Commissioner Salman Ghani issued the instructions at a meeting on October 22, 2026, and they were reported on October 23. Damaged roads must be restored within 15 days. The directive is an administrative instruction. The reports we have seen do not say what penalty applies if it is ignored. Provincial notifications are published by the Government of the Punjab.
What the Directive Requires
Road excavation requires prior permission and an NOC. Utility departments must coordinate with one another before starting development projects, and alternative construction techniques should be considered to minimise road damage. The reports do not say which alternative techniques are meant, so we do not name any.
The 15-Day Restoration Rule
Damaged roads must be restored within 15 days. The reports do not say when the 15 days begin, who will check the repairs or what happens if the work is late. We therefore cannot say how strictly the deadline will be applied.
Permissions Already Granted
Permissions were granted for specific gas, sewerage and telecommunications works in several Rawalpindi localities. The reports do not name the localities or give the dates of the works, so residents cannot tell from them which streets will be dug up.
Why Enforcement Matters
The directive could improve road conditions and infrastructure coordination in established residential and commercial areas. Its effectiveness will depend on enforcement. The reports do not describe how compliance will be monitored. Road development in the city is also handled by the Rawalpindi Development Authority, and we do not know how its work fits with the directive.
What This Means for Residents, Developers and Utilities
Residents can ask the administration whether a dig on their street has a permit. Developers whose projects need road cutting for connections should apply for the NOC early, since utility installation schedules may be affected. The signals to watch are published penalties, how quickly roads are repaired, any complaints about unauthorised digging and whether the utilities coordinate their work in practice.