ISLAMABAD: Two new interchange projects are on the cards in Islamabad while a technical committee has recommended to the civic agency to accept a bid it received last month for the construction of a flyover at Sihala.

Meanwhile, the Development Working Party of the CDA, which is rescheduled to meet on Wednesday (tomorrow), will also take up the construction of the two new interchanges at Shaheen Chowk on Ninth Avenue and E-11 Chowk on Khayaban-i-Iqbal/Margalla Road.

The estimated cost of the Shaheen Chowk project is Rs1.47 billion while the E-11 Chowk project will cost Rs1.42 billion.

Technical body asks civic body to accept bid for Sihala flyover

“We have no issue of funding and within a few months both the new interchange projects will be launched,” CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed told Dawn. He said once completed the two projects will provide relief to motorists on Khayaban-i-Iqbal/Margalla Road and Ninth Avenue.

He said the CDA was also going to hire the services of a consultant for traffic management to enhance vehicle mobility and safety at various locations.

Last month, the CDA opened financial bids for the Sihala flyover to be bult on Kahuta Road and the lowest bid was 16pc above the estimated cost.

The matter was placed before a technical committee, which recommended to the CDA management to approve it, keeping in view the recent increase in the rates of steel and other construction material.

However, the CDA is yet to issue a commencement letter.

During the last two years, the CDA received lowest bids, in some projects even 30pc lower than the estimates.

For all the three ongoing projects - P.W.D underpass, Korang bridge and Rawal Dam interchange - the CDA received below-estimated bids.

Another officer of the CDA said the issue of high bid was placed before a five-member technical committee, which recommended for its acceptance.

A consultant also recommended to the CDA to accept the bid. He said the increase in steel and cement prices was the main reasons behind the high bid.

Meanwhile, the 52nd Development Working Party meeting to be held at the CDA headquarters will also discuss other projects worth billions of rupees.

These include a 100-bed facility at the CDA Hospital worth Rs186 million, a two-year plan of Rs57 million for rainwater harvesting, a two-year plan of Rs4 billion for construction of parking areas in commercial areas, a one-year plan worth Rs185 million for construction of a bridge on Kayani Road to ease traffic flow in Bhara Kahu, a Rs1,168 million project for the development of D-12, and a three-year plan worth Rs3,500 million to maintain and enhance the natural beauty and greenery of Margalla Hills National Park.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2021