ISLAMABAD: The Serena underpasses project saw a slight change to its design as a loop to connect the underpass on Srinagar Highway with the Zero Point side has been removed “to avoid cutting of trees and save a portion of Jinnah Convention Centre’s parking lot”.

It has been decided that instead of the loop a protected U-turn will be established on the road leading towards Dhokri. After taking the turn, motorists will enter Srinagar Highway to go towards Zero Point.

The foundation stone of the project worth Rs4.2 billion (along with 9th Avenue project) was recently laid down by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The project is supposed to be completed in 60 days. Work continues at full pace and the CDA is hopeful to get it completed within the deadline.

“Yes, a slight change has been made in the layout plan of the project, a loop has been replaced with protected U-turns,” said CDA’s director media Shahid Kiani. He said the revision in the layout plan was imperative as a portion of the parking lot of the Convention Centre and a number of trees were falling in the alignment of the loop.

Decision made to save trees and a portion of Convention Centre’s parking lot, says CDA

“So to avoid tree cutting and protect the portion of the parking lot of Convention Centre the consultant made this slight change,” he said and added that an alternative solution had also been proposed by the consultant in the shape of the protected U-turn. He said after removal of the loop, the cost of the project will also face some decrease.

Meanwhile, an official of the CDA claimed that with the construction of a protected U-turn, this issue would be settled easily.

“First we are preparing our piles which will be used in the construction of walls. Our work is continuing with the timeline and after completing this phase we will start digging for the underpasses,” said an official, adding the project would be completed in 60 days.

Under the project, three underpasses (two on Srinagar Highway and one on Khayaban-i-Soharwardi) along with some loops would be constructed. A portion of Srinagar Highway from near 7th Avenue Interchange till Serena Chowk would also be reconstructed.

9th Avenue project

Work on the other project worth Rs 4.1 billion also continues. Under this project, an underpass with loops would be constructed on Jinnah Avenue with a flyover.

This project is supposed to be completed in 100 days. Currently, digging work for the underpass is almost completed and a portion of the base of the underpass has been cemented.

A deputy director of CDA claimed that every effort was being made to complete the underpass by the end of December, adding that work continued simultaneously as girders were also being prepared and officers were ensuring their presence at the project site till late at night.

He said that after the underpass work, the focus would be shifted towards the flyover.

He said that CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa frequently visited both the project sites to ensure their timely completion in accordance with the deadline.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024