ISLAMABAD: The land acquired by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on both sides of the newly constructed Bhara Kahu bypass (which is yet to be opened for traffic) seeks attention of the city managers for its proper utilisation to avoid encroachment. The strip of around 200 feet wide and around 1.75km long on both sides of the bypass starts from Shahdhra bridge to Jugi Stop Murree Road.

The CDA officials said that if timely steps are not taken, this piece of the land could go into the hands of encroachers.

They said that after the construction of the bypass road, the value of the CDA’s land had increased manifold.

The officials said in 1960s the CDA had acquired 600 feet right of way of the said road and out of total almost 200 feet had been used in the construction of the road and now the CDA had around 400 feet wide area on both sides of the road.

The 3.75km bypass road starts from Malpur and culminates at Jugi Stop, where it will be linked with around 1.5km elevated road.

The first phase of 3.75km road has almost been completed while it is expected the elevated portion of the road will also be completed in next three months.

From Malpur to Shahdhra bridge, the road crosses through Quaid-i-Azam University land, and the CDA had already offered alternative land to the university. However, after QAU land, from Shahdhra Road to Jugi Stop, the CDA had its own land on both sides of the road, where proper planning is required.

The CDA, besides other facilities, could also develop parks and sports centres on both sides of the road.

When contacted, CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal said he had already decided to plan two service areas on the pattern of motorways, on both sides of the bypass road.

“The service areas will have petrol pumps, tuck shops, etc.,” he said and added that soon, the CDA will call tender in this regard.

The CDA officials said that in coming days, the work on flyover portions will be expedited.

They said that all 27 transoms have been poured while all 144 girders had already been prepared and in coming days, their launching work will be started, adding that 12 girders had already been launched.

The 5.6 km-long road (including a 1km flyover) was started on October 1 and as per its PC-I was supposed to be completed within four months.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the CDA to make all-out efforts to get the project completed within three months instead of the four months mentioned in PC-I.

Subsequently, the NLC made efforts and work on the project continued round the clock, but it could not be completed within the stipulated time period.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2023