ISLAMABAD: The city managers are planning to make busiest Srinagar Highway signal free by constructing three underpasses or interchanges.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Ali Nawaz Awan on Monday told Dawn that that it has been decided that Srinagar Highway will be made signals free.

He said that Planning Minister Asad Umar,, soon will chair a meeting to get briefing from CDA on the project.

“CDA is already working on making the Srinagar Highway signal free and he said and added that currently, motorists have to face traffic congestions on various locations including at G-10 and G-11 signals.

When contacted CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed said: “It is final, we are going to make Srinagar Highway signal free. My team is already working on design and PC-I,” he said and added that CDA is also exploring that instead of constructing three interchanges, if underpasses ease traffic congestion then civic agency will go for underpasses, which are far cheaper than interchanges and remaining funds could be utilized on public bus service project.

“We are exploring both options of interchanges and underpasses. We will see if underpass can serve the purpose, we will opt for it and if interchange is imperative, then we will go for it,” the CDA chairman said.

CDA’s officials of Engineering Wing Dawn spoke to said that three interchanges/underpasses are required for ensuring smooth traffic flow.

They said that one such facility is to be constructed at the junction of 10th Avenue and Srinagar Highway, and one each at junctions of 11th and 12th avenues.

They said the said highway has been facing massive traffic load because of its links with Motorway, Grand Trunk Road, Islamabad International Airport.

The officials, however, said that after completion of ongoing Margalla Road Project, this road will see reduction in traffic as motorists coming from G.T. Road could use Margalla Road near Sangjani to enter the city.

The Srinagar Highway starts from Murree Road (Kashmir Chowk) and ends near Tarnol.

Due to massive development at its length and its adjoining area near Tarnol because of growth of housing societies, educational institutions and health facilities, this road is considered as one of the busiest roads of the city.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022