October 2, 2003	Thursday	Sha’aban 5, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: The Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) has agreed to voluntarily vacate its land falling in the alignment of the under-construction I. J. Principal Road, a source in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) told Dawn on Wednesday.

The source said the intelligence agency had demolished the boundary wall of its office and started construction of a new wall away from the road.

The row between the agency and the CDA was the main hurdle in execution of the second phase of the widening and dualization of the road.

Following the resolution of the dispute, the CDA had started the second phase of the project with an estimated cost of Rs350 million.

According to the plan, about 10.2km-long road from Faizabad to Peshawar Road (N-5) would be dualised within two years.

In the first phase, a sum of Rs118 million had been spent and Rs350 million would be utilized in the second one.

An official of the CDA said a railway underpass and two bridges would also be constructed in the project. He said the Pakistan Railways (PR) had been provide Rs112 million for the construction of the underpass.

He said the PR authorities had started construction of the underpass. “The construction of the underpass is imperative as traffic jam has become a regular feature on the railway crossing causing great deal of trouble for the commuters,” the official said.

Earlier, he added, there was a dispute between the CDA and the Railway authorities over the construction of the underpass as both the organizations were reluctant to execute the project.

Finally, the CDA decided to financially assist the PR to resolve the issue.

The official said the CDA was also negotiating with the Survey of Pakistan, Ojhri Camp; Wapda and residents of Dhoke Najju and F. Block, Satellite Town, for removal of their structures falling in the 300-foot-broad alignment of the road.

Some of the residents of the area, whose houses have been demolished by the CDA for widening of the road, have demanded of the interior minister to provide them alternative land.