Key Takeaways
- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started construction of a new six-lane road.
- The project aims to ease traffic congestion and improve travel for residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the CDA to complete the work within a few months.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has commenced construction on a new six-lane road along the eastern side of the Islamabad Expressway, replacing the existing service road. The project will run from Faizabad to Gulberg Greens and is expected to cover an 8.5-kilometer stretch.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site and directed the CDA to expedite the work, aiming for completion within a few months instead of the original one-year timeline while ensuring quality and transparency.
The project includes a flyover at Faizabad to connect the new road with the Islamabad Expressway and an underpass at the Lethrar Road and Khanna Bridge intersection. Officials have completed the road survey, started site clearing, and relocated utility services before beginning full-scale construction.
To clear the road alignment, around 200 graves were also relocated by the CDA. The project could take approximately 150 working days if construction continues at full pace, although the approved completion period remains one year.
The contract was awarded to M/S Leimar, which submitted a bid 13 percent below the estimated project cost of Rs. 6 billion. Sources indicate that the CDA is considering developing a commercial strip along the new road, potentially generating significant revenue through future plot auctions.
