ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is yet to construct small roads to connect the underpasses of Bhara Kahu bypass as the civic agency remains focused on main projects.

The CDA had constructed four underpasses under the multibillion rupees bypass project but they were not connected with each other by constructing small roads, causing difficulty for the commuters.

“After spending billions of rupees, the CDA completed the bypass project, but it did not construct small roads,” said Ali Khan, a resident of Bhara Kahu.

He said hardly one kilometre road on each side of the bypass is to be built to provide a big relief to the residents.

Locals say just one kilometre road on each side of bypass will provide a big relief to commuters

Another resident, Jawad Ahmed, said there was an urgent need for connectivity between the bypasses for smooth movement of vehicles.

“Roads to link the underpasses were not part of the main project, but we will look into it as well,” said CDA director media Shahid Kiani.

A deputy director of the engineering wing also said that linking underpasses with each other was not part of the scope of the work of the contractor, National Logistics Cell (NLC).

However, he said, this issue cropped up when the project was launched and the CDA included it in the scope of the additional work.

“The linkage of underpasses with each other and construction of a u-turn on Murree Road, where bypass lands, are part of the additional work,” the deputy director said, adding currently work on the u-turn was in progress.

“We will look into the issue of underpasses’ linkage roads at a later stage,” he said.

On the other hand, an official said the CDA being a major development agency could connect these underpasses through its own machinery.

“CDA has its own Machinery Pool Organisation, which can connect these underpasses within a few days. The CDA had acquired land on both sides of the bypass, which is lying vacant, and that should be utilised for connecting roads,” he said.

The bypass was a pet project of Shehbaz Sharif-led PDM government and completed within 10 months because of the personal interest of Mr Sharif, who inaugurated it in August last year a few days before completion of his first stint.

The bypass project initially had a budget of Rs6.5 billion with an additional cost of Rs1.3 billion. The bypass played a major role in removing traffic congestion in Bhara Kahu. After its construction, now motorists to and fro Murree and Azad Kashmir smoothly bypass Bhara Kahu area within few minutes.

The CDA last year had also decided to auction two sites along the bypass for setting up of petrol pumps and rest areas. However, later on the civic agency delayed the auction.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024