ISLAMABAD: In order to ease traffic congestion on Murree Road, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has planned to construct an alternate road that will bypass Bhara Kahu, to provide a faster route to traffic bound for Murree and Kashmir.

The authority has also decided to develop the much-delayed I-11 sector. On Friday, the CDA Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) approved the revised PC-1, worth Rs1.622 billion, for the development of the sector.

Those allotted plots in I-11 have been waiting to see the development of the sector begin since 1990.

The project of the construction of a two kilometre road from Quaid-i-Azam University to Bhara Kahu will begin from Shahdhra Road near the university, cross Shahdhra picnic point and lead to Jhugi Stop in Bhara Kahu, where it will connect with Murree Road.

The project’s PC-1 states that Rs812 million rupees will be spent on the project.

Motorists regularly endure traffic jams on Murree Road near Bhara Kahu. On weekends particularly, a massive traffic gridlock occurs due to the flow of tourists.

On Thursday, the CDA put the project before the CDA-DWP, which deferred it to its next meeting and directed the concerned formation of the authority to first coordinate with the Islamabad Capital Territory administration, the custodian of Shahdhra Road.

The current single lane Shahdhra Road, which starts near Malpur from Murree Road, was constructed by the ICT administration. The prime minister last year announced the construction of a flyover at Bhara Kahu, but the project is not in sight so far.

Development of I-11

The CDA-DWP approved the revised PC-1, worth Rs1.6 billion for the development of I-11/1 and I-11/2. The first PC-1 was approved back in 1990, but the authority did not remove encroachments in these subsectors in order to begin development work.

Last year, on the directives of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, the CDA removed illegal settlements in these sectors.

Director Road South Shahid Mahmood said: “The first PC-1 as approved back in 1990. However we could not start development because of encroachment. Today, our revised PC-1 has been approved, according to which we will develop the sector within two years.”

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016