ISLAMABAD: City managers have decided to start construction of a road to link Margalla Avenue with Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1) as the demarcation of land has been carried out.

Sources in CDA told Dawn that demarcation process of the road had been completed and soon and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) revenue department would gear up efforts for land acquisition process.

“Land acquisition will be started soon after which we will go for construction activities,” said an official of CDA.

Out of the total 3.4 km road portion, 1.8 km falls in Rawalpindi and 1.6 km in Islamabad which will be constructed by the CDA.

Section 144 imposed for land acquisition,says official

Officials of the CDA said that PC-I had already been approved and estimates and design work undertaken.

The project worth Rs5.45 billion (construction and land acquisition) was approved by the civic body in August 2023 and once started work on it would be completed in eight months. Sources said that land which would be acquired by revenue authorities falls in two revenue estates of Islamabad and Rawalpindi - Sangjani and Budana Kurd. The sources said around 80 kanals would be acquired and out of it 55 kanals falls in the limits of Islamabad.

“Last week, Section 144 was imposed in the area. Hopefully, the land acquisition process would be completed in a month and then construction work would be started. Revenue teams have been working to complete acquisition process as soon as possible,” said an official. Under Section 144, the government is authorised to acquire land from locals for any welfare purpose including construction of roads.

According to a working paper of the CDA, the maximum benefit from Margalla Avenue cannot be achieved until the road was linked to M-1. The project comprises a six-lane road facility and aims at providing an alternative route for commuters travelling to Islamabad from G.T. Road (N-5) and vice versa.

In 2021, the then prime minister Imran Khan had directed the CDA to develop the road that fell within the limits of Islamabad whereas the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) was asked to carry out work on the portion that fell in their jurisdiction. However, later the PDM government tasked the NHA to construct the road falling in Rawalpindi.

The Margalla Avenue, which starts at E-11 and culminates at GT Road in Sangjani, will be linked with the new portion of the five-km-long road.

It is relevant to note that Margalla Avenue from E-11 is the principal road and its right of way was 600 feet. However, CDA constructed roads on around 400 feet area and is yet to decide about the acquisition of remaining area and built-up structures falling in the heart of the alignment of the road.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2025