ISLAMABAD, April 30: Impressed with the fast infrastructure development in China, the chairman of the cash-strapped Capital Development Authority (CDA), who returned after visiting the neighbouring country on Monday, is dreaming of replicating it in Islamabad.

In a statement, Farkhand Iqbal vowed to revamp road infrastructure in the federal capital and making many arteries as ‘signal free’. “The development of Islamabad’s roads as signal-free is inevitable, particularly if we desire to bring them at par with those of modern capitals of other countries,” he said. During his visit to Beijing, the CDA chief reportedly signed memorandums of understanding for mega uplift projects in Islamabad.

However, the idea to make many roads signal free is not new as it was first dreamt of and announced in 2003.

Senior officials of the CDA have said on record on many occasions that the authority was facing acute financial crisis; as a result, it was sometimes difficult for it even to pay salaries to its 16,000 employees. Due to the prevailing financial crunch, a number of development works promised in the last CDA budget have so far not been commissioned.

The CDA chairman announced his decision to upgrade Jinnah Avenue as a signal-free road to ensure smooth traffic flow around Blue Area, the commercial hub of Islamabad.

“A plan to make Islamabad Highway signal free is already underway as more interchanges and flyovers have been planned at Airport Chowk, Dhoke Kala Khan and Kuri Road.

Moreover, Kashmir Highway will also be upgraded on the same lines as an interchange is under-consideration at Peshawar Mor,” he added.

CDA spokesman Ramzan Sajid quoted the chairman as saying: “We are set to execute the idea as it has been the need of the hour because traffic snarls on the important avenue impede business activity besides testing the nerves of the motorists.”

Mr Iqbal said the CDA had already constructed two underpasses at China Chowk and Kalsoom Chowk to link sectors G-6 and F-6 with G-7 and F-7 in order to ensure smooth traffic at Jinnah Avenue.

He also chaired a meeting in which he directed the engineering wing to develop all missing facilities on roads across the capital city.

He said the CDA had already allocated Rs150 million for repair and maintenance of the roads, carpeting in the markets, roundabouts and footpaths in different areas.

The meeting decided to construct fish bellies and cat eyes at Jinnah Avenue to ensure smooth flow of traffic and avert any untoward incidents. “The CDA will also construct safe u-turns on the road, where it deems necessary. The engineering wing will soon submit the design of the project to the CDA board for approval,” he said.

Mr Iqbal said a comprehensive plan to resolve parking issue in Blue Area was also being worked out.

The authority, he added, was also convincing private parties to help build parking plazas in Blue Area and other main markets, including Super Market.

CDA SECRETARY: Secretary CDA Board Dr Raja Mustafa Hyder left his office in protest against what he said the ‘misbehavior’ of the chairman.

Mr Hyder, who was inducted in the CDA on deputation, served for more than two years and was coordinating between the CDA, foreign missions and government departments. He is likely to join Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD).