ISLAMABAD: In a bid to complete the metro bus project by January 2015, the contractors have sought permission from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to chop off some more trees at Peshawar Mor and close a couple of more roads.

However, there is no talk of opening the roads that have been closed for the construction of the project. The contractors are expected to present a formal request to close more roads, especially around Peshawar Mor, at a meeting scheduled to be held on Friday in Islamabad. The meeting will be chaired by Hanif Abbassi, the chairman Metro Bus Implementation Committee.

In the latest spate, the contractor at Peshawar Mor interchange has asked the CDA if it can cut some large trees that were planted at the weekly bazaar.

An official of the CDA environment wing said the trees were chopped down on November 17, but the paperwork was being completed to avoid controversy in the future.

The contractor is also seeking to close more roads in coming days

“Permission will be given without any questions because both the contractor – National Logistics Cell and the project manger, RDA - are politically stronger than any department of the CDA,” said an official of the CDA who did not want to be named.

The underpass at the junction of Faisal Avenue and Jinnah Avenue has also been closed to the traffic as pillars are being installed to build another pathway at the overpass there.

Due to the closure of the underpass and the roads running over it, the traffic congestion has become a serious problem at this spot.

Meanwhile, even traffic police officers posted at the spot appear frustrated while trying to manage the flow of vehicles especially at peak hours. “This is a serious problem and they should at least improve the next opening,” a police personnel posted at the underpass said.

He was referring to the other opening available at Kulsoom Saifullah chowk for the vehicles to cross Jinnah Avenue but it is not only unpaved but littered with potholes and mounds of earth.

On the other hand, a CDA official said the contractor had clearly stated that managing traffic was the responsibility of the civic body and the traffic police.“One major reason for the extraordinary trouble faced by the general public is the faulty design of the metro bus,” the official said.

The contractor has asked the CDA if it can close the H-8 service road in front of Allama Iqbal Open University to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles as they want to speed up work on the interchange.

CDA officials have asked the contractor to open closed roads for the movement of traffic. “Finally, the bypass through H-9 to cross the Kashmir Highway has been paved and it is expected that more roads will be opened,” the official added.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2014