ISLAMABAD: The proposed flyover at the merger of 9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal, inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his first stint last year has seen no progress since its unveiling.

Valued at Rs1.649 billion, the project titled ‘Shaheen Chowk flyover’, inaugurated by the prime minister last July was slated to be completed within six months. Before the inauguration, the then CDA chairman Noorul Amin Mengal got the project’s PC-I approved and also floated tenders.

However, as per sources, in August last year, Mengal was transferred from the CDA. Following his transfer, CDA’s engineering wing “shelved” the project as only one out of the four construction companies was qualified. The project has been stalled since then as no serious effort was made for its re-tendering.

According to PC-I, the flyover was to consist of three spans with four lanes at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal, (also known as Margalla Road), besides widening and improving the existing Khayaban-i-Iqbal.

Shehbaz inaugurated Shaheen Chowk flyover during first tenure but work still has not started on it

As per sources, the project is crucial as both roads (9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal) connect one another at this point. Moreover, several offices of the defence ministry are also located in the area along with the National Defence University, Air University, Bahria University and defence-related sectors like E-8 as well as residential sectors like F-7, F-8 and E-7.

The said area faces significant traffic congestion, and the flyover was designed to alleviate this by improving the road network’s efficiency. It aimed to provide relief to the commuters besides reducing travel time and fuel costs.

In addition to the Shaheen Chowk project, PM Sharif during his first stint also laid the foundation stone of the 11th Avenue project, which has yet to commence. Recently, when the issue of 11th Avenue came to the notice of current CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, he directed the CDA’s engineering wing to begin work immediately.

According to sources, he also expressed his displeasure to the officials concerned and directed them to complete the design of the project within weeks to float tenders.

When contacted, Director Public Relations CDA Shahid Kiani after getting input from members of the engineering wing and CDA chairman clarified that the project was not shelved but was on CDA’s priority list. According to him, the civic body will not only execute this project but also initiate construction of the PTCL Chowk interchange project on 9th Avenue.

“Both PTCL Chowk and Shaheen Chowk are to be constructed on 9th Avenue and work for both will begin simultaneously. A massive traffic mess is expected. To avoid traffic congestion, work will begin for the PTCL Chowk first followed by the Shaheen Chowk as both are linked,” he said, adding that once built, the Shaheen Chowk will serve as a speedy link to connect Margalla Road with the motorway.

“The issue of Margalla Road and Khayaban-i-Iqbal is being looked in totality and as per the instructions of the CDA chairman, we are going to link Margalla Road with the motorway to reduce travel time from the motorway to the Presidency,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024