ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman on Monday ordered opening of all four slip roads of the under-construction Rawal Dam Interchange for traffic by the end of this month.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman on Monday issued directives while visiting the Rawal Dam Interchange project sites.

The interchange worth Rs1.1 billion is supposed to be completed by October. However, so far, around 40pc work on it has been completed.

The CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed along with Member Engineering Syed Munawar Shah also visited the the under-construction 7th Avenue interchange site.

Orders opening of all four slip roads of Rawal Dam Interchange this month

During inspection of Rawal Dam interchange, the chairman said all four slip roads should be opened by the end of this month to provide relief to motorists. He was told that two slip roads (one from Park Road to Faizabad side) and one which goes towards the roundabout have already been slightly opened for traffic.

The chairman told officials that all four slip roads should be carpeted and opened for traffic this month.

According to a press release issued by the authority, the chairman also directed officers concerned to install reflectors around the interchange site to facilitate commuters.

It added that the due date for completion of this project is October 2022 but it is likely that this project will be completed earlier by June 2022 whereas the flyover part of the interchange will most probably be completed by January/ February 2022.

The CDA chief also inspected the under-construction 7th Avenue project, which according to PC-I, is supposed to be completed in October.

“Chairman directed the departments concerned to complete the bridge (a component of the project, which will be an elevated bridge on Srinagar Highway) by February 2022 and open it for traffic while he also directed to complete the construction of 7th Avenue Interchange by August 2022,” the press release said, adding October 2022 is the original date of completion of this project.

This interchange is being executed at the junction of 7th Avenue, Srinagar Highway, Khayaban-i-Suharwardi and Garden Avenue. The junction was considered one of the busiest junctions, where traffic jams are common.

“In order to maintain the flow of traffic, instructions were issued that CDA and traffic police officers should work out a traffic diversion plan so that citizens do not face any difficulty and also save the citizens from wasting precious time. Instructions were also issued to display traffic diversion signs at prominent places for public guidance and alternative routes,” the press release said, adding that the chairman has directed the Environment Wing to select suitable sites and plant as many trees as possible.

Furthermore, the statement said, the CDA administration directed the departments concerned to expedite work and use all resources to complete both projects on time so that citizens do not face traffic congestion.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2021