ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman inaugurated a hiking trail and inspected the under-construction Margalla Avenue here on Tuesday.

Capt Mohammad Usman Younis inaugurated Trail 7, which starts from sector C-12 and culminates at Kanthla village. Speaking on the occasion, he said that his top priority was to make Islamabad more beautiful and green.

Meanwhile, he also inspected the under-construction Margalla Avenue (from G.T. Road to sector D-12) and directed the formations concerned to complete the ongoing project as soon as possible.

He also stressed upon timely execution of ongoing development projects adding that no delay would be tolerated in this regard.

Work on the road was supposed to be completed in June this year, however, it could not be completed within stipulated time as CDA had made some revision in scope of the work.

Later on, the civic agency gave a six-month extension and now, the work is supposed to be completed in December. Currently, construction work is in progress and so far almost 80pc of work, including carpeting, has been carried out. CDA officials Dawn spoke to said that the remaining work will likely be completed in the next few months.

Meanwhile, the CDA is also set to start the last portion of Margalla Road (also called Bhara Kahu bypass) which will start from Murree Road near Quaid-i-Azam University and will culminate at Jugi stop Bhara Kahu.

It is relevant to note here that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently ordered the CDA to complete construction of the bypass road within four months. Sources said that the new chairman had directed the engineering wing to start work as soon as possible. It is expected that work would be started within a week.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2022