ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started repair, maintenance and overhauling of Murree Road from Faizabad to Serena Chowk ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting to be held in Islamabad in October this year.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with the CDA chairman and other officials visited the road and directed the officials to make it a model road. He also directed them to remove encroachments along the road, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior.

It said Mr Naqvi also directed the CDA to develop parks on green areas besides horticulture and landscaping work along the road.

Interior minister directs CDA to develop parks on green areas besides horticulture and landscaping work along road

He said Faizabad Interchange was the face of the city and it should be properly upgraded, adding all lights on the interchange and Murree Road should be made functional.

The CDA had awarded the contract of the project worth Rs729 million in April, but work could not be started due to the funding issue. However, on direction of the interior minister, the CDA has given the go-ahead to the contractor to start the work.

“Work was started yesterday and we are making all-out efforts to get it completed within 45 days,” CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa told Dawn. He said the CDA will carry out repair, re-carpeting and landscaping work on the road.

“I have directed the finance wing to ensure smooth funding for the project as it is a priority work. CDA’s engineering wing has also been directed to complete the work, including signboards and lane marking, before the start of the international conference.”

He said Faizabad Interchange will also be beautified with landscaping and repair work.

Meanwhile, officials of the engineering wing said the contractor had agreed to carry out the work at the rates when the contract was awarded to him. They said construction material prices had increased, but this project would be completed in accordance with the rates of April when the project was awarded.

It may be noted that the SCO’s council meeting is slated to be held in Islamabad in October this year. Founded by China and Russia in 2001, the forum is a prominent Eurasian entity, which has been focusing on international security, political and economic issues.

The two-day meeting in Islamabad will be held on October 15-16. Leaders of member countries will be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials’ meetings focusing on financial, economic, socio-culture and humanitarian cooperation among the member states.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2024