ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has called bids for the expansion of Korang Bridge on the Islamabad Expressway in order to address a major traffic bottleneck on this road.

Through tenders, the CDA has asked all registered firms to submit bids for the expansion of Korang Bridge.

CDA officials said that bids will soon be called for the construction of the P.W.D. underpass on the Expressway.

The Ministry of Interior’s Development Working Party recently approved these two projects, which will cost Rs1.6 billion, for upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funding. Around Rs150 million is already available in the ongoing fiscal year, which the CDA will use to initiate both projects.

According to a statement issued by the CDA on Sunday, bids for the construction of Korang Bridge have been invited. The cost of the project in the notice inviting tender is approximately Rs741.4m.

Bids will soon be called for construction of P.W.D. underpass on Expressway

“The project Signal Free Controlled Access Corridor was approved under PSDP. Considering the need of this facility it was decided that aphased-wiseapproach will be followed and in phase-I, Korang Bridge and PWD underpass are neededto address the most complicated issue.

“Upon approval by CDA management, a transparent bidding process has been initiated, and bids for construction of bridge has been sought under Single Stage Two Envelope procedure from firms registered with Pakistan Engineering Council having valid registration certificate, “ the statement said.

It said it has also been decided to invite bids for the construction of the underpass as soon as possible.

The expansion of the Expressway from Koral to the G.T. Road has been delayed for years. The last PML-N government earmarked Rs7bn for this project in its last budget.

The PTI government dropped the project from PSDP funding, but has now decided that two of its key components - the Korang Bridge and the P.W.D. underpass - will be carried out with PSDP funding.

The government has decided to carry out the expansion of the road from Koral to the G.T. Road through a public-private partnership and is exploring options in this regard.

Sources said that under the CDA Ordinance 1960, the authority cannot take on public-private partnership projects. They said the ordinance was now being amended to make this possible.

The CDA board recently recommended changes to the ordinance, and the matter will be referred to the government to make the changes.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2020