ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is like to open the Bhara Kahu bypass within a week after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) installed an inauguration board.

Sources in the CDA said the opening of the bypass was expected on July 31. They said work on the road and flyover had been completed except the landing area of the flyover towards Murree.

“Our project is almost ready, only ramps of flyover on Murree side are pending. We are carrying compaction work but due to heavy rain on daily basis we are facing difficulty, however, we are making every effort to complete the project by July 31,” an official of the CDA said.

He said two dates – July 26 and July 31 – were under consideration for inaugurating the road. The official said horticulture work on the road was also almost complete.

Work on project almost complete; two dates under consideration for inaugurating the road, says official

Meanwhile, CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal visited the project site on Saturday and directed the engineering wing to get it completed within a few days.

The project worth Rs6.5 billion is being executed by the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and in February this year it faced two back-to-back incidents - transom collapse which left two labourers dead followed by overturning of the fifth girder. After the incident, the project was executed very carefully to avoid any incident. However, during the last two months, the project was executed with full force to ensure its completion by July 31.

The mega project was started on October 1 with prime minister’s directions to complete it within four months. Apparently, the directions were meant to complete the project as soon as possible, but completion of such a mega project within four months was highly difficult.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also kept the project under his watch, as several meetings were held at the PM Office to get an update on the progress of the work.

The project once completed will provide a big relief to residents of Murree, Kashmir, Galyat and millions of tourists who visit these areas particularly in the summer.

The existing Bhara Kahu/Murree Road is congested and faces traffic jams on a daily basis causing difficulty for people. However, after completion of the project the traffic load on existing Murree Road will be divided as vehicles going to and coming from Murree-Kashmir could use the smooth bypass road.

CDA member engineering Syed Munawar Shah, when contacted, confirmed to Dawn that the project was near completion.

“Only work of ramps is pending and we are making all out efforts to complete it within few days. Actually, constant rain is causing difficulty otherwise we can complete it within few days,” he said and added that opening of the project is expected anytime soon.

“I can’t give you a confirmed date, but you can say now it’s a matter of days not weeks,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2023