ISLAMABAD, July 14: The cost of Islamabad Expressway project has gone up by Rs250 million due to delay in its completion, sources told Dawn on Monday.

Under the project, an additional eight kilometre long third lane with 20 feet width is to be added to the dual carriage way of Islamabad Expressway, which starts from Faizabad and ended at Rewat.

The sources said the project was to be completed by 1991 but being delayed due to several reasons.

According to the PC-I, Rs494 million was to be spent on the project but due to price escalation, now Rs744 million is required for its completion.

Meanwhile, a senior CDA official confirmed that the cost of any project increased at the rate of 7.5 per cent per year, therefore, the Authority had to bear the escalation cost of Rs250 million to complete the project.

The sources said the project for constructing four bridges on the Expressway was awarded one year ago but since then no significant work had been done in this regard, which was causing delay in completion of the project.

They said the Authority was reportedly waiting for funds, required to complete the project.

Some 80 per cent of the work on the project has been completed, but the CDA requires more funds for its completion, they added.