ISLAMABAD: The engineering wing of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday stated that soon after opening of the financial bids work on the last portion of Margalla Road to link it with motorways will be launched.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa chaired a meeting to review progress on ongoing and future development projects. Besides other projects, the meeting was updated on the Margalla Road project.

“The meeting reviewed the progress on the project to connect Margalla Avenue with Motorway M-1. Briefing the meeting, it was informed that construction work will commence soon after the opening of bids for the project,” said a CDA spokesperson.

The technical bids of the project worth Rs3.58 billion has already been opened and soon the CDA will open the financial bid to award the contract which involves the construction of a 2.7-kilometre portion of Margalla Avenue to ultimately link it with the Peshawar Motorway (M-1).

Construction of an interchange on the GT Road is also part of the project. The ending point of this road is near the Sangjani Grid Station, within the limits of Islamabad. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has already started constructing another 2.5-kilometre portion of the road falling within the limits of Rawalpindi.

This section will be linked with the M-1 near the AWT Housing Society. NHA’s contractor - NLC - has already started work, which continues at full pace.

A press release issued by the CDA said a detailed discussion was held in the meeting on another project to construct a model graveyard at the Pandoriyan site in Islamabad.

The CDA chairman directed that the design of the graveyard be finalised at the earliest and access from major roads be provided to the cemetery to facilitate citizens.

He directed that the provision of spacious prayer halls for funerals, ablution areas and adequate parking facilities be ensured in the model graveyard.

He further directed that along with an electric hearse, ambulance and other facilities, CCTV surveillance for security and monitoring shall also be ensured.

This graveyard will also serve newly-launched CDA’s housing scheme project in Kuri area. According to the press release, discussion was held in the meeting on the project to resolve traffic issues at Kashmir Chowk. The meeting was informed that the services of a consultant for this project would be acquired soon.

The meeting was also briefed on the project for the construction of Expressway Service Road East. The tendering process has been initiated to acquire the services of a consultant for this project.

Discussion was also held in the meeting on the project to resolve traffic issues from Express Chowk to Aga Khan Avenue. Similarly, the construction of Eleventh Avenue was also discussed by participants of the meeting.

The press release said that the CDA chairman directed that timely Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for future projects be ensured. The meeting reviewed the progress made on the Islamabad Convention Centre, Exhibition and Expo Centre projects as well.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026