ISLAMABAD: The work on Rawal Dam Interchange project has been slow, as utility service lines are yet to be shifted from the site.

Inaugurated in July last year, the project was delayed for a few months before work on it formally started again in October. The project worth Rs1.1 billion is supposed to be completed in two years.

According to an official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), after shifting of lines, the work on the project would gain pace.

“The shifting of utility service lines is in progress, hopefully it will be completed soon and then people will see progress again, as currently we are focusing on construction of piles and girders,” he said and added that out of the 22 piles 14 had been completed while five out of the 18 girders were ready.

He said the project would be completed before the deadline, adding: “We are focusing on completing it within 18 months and so far, 10 to 15pc of the work has been completed.”

The interchange is being constructed at the junction of Murree Road, Club Road and Park Road. According to CDA officials, once completed the project will provide relief to commuters as traffic congestion on this portion of Murree Road has become a routine.

During the last few years, due to increasing population in adjoining areas of Park Road, traffic congestion became a problem; the road is used as the main route towards several housing schemes and towns including CDA’s Park Enclave whereas, during the last decade or so, many educational institutions and wedding marquees have also been established in the area. Old villages such as Lakhwal, Kurri, Chatta Bakhtawar, Shahzad Town, Rawal Town, Alipur Farash also saw increase in population that resulted into traffic load on Park Road.

CDA officials said in the coming months, the authority will also launch a separate project for beautification of Rawal Dam interchange by adding a hanging arch-styled bridge with lighting at the site.

They said CDA would call a separate tender for this project.

“The separate arch-style project will fascinate people. We will call tender for this project when we will see over 50pc progress on the ongoing project,” an official said adding that the consultant has vetted the new project and its cost estimation is also almost complete.

Besides this, work on construction of P.W.D underpass and expansion of Korang bridge is also in progress, which according to CDA officials will be completed during the ongoing year.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021