ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reversed its decision to hire consultants through competitive process for three mega development projects and has instead decided to engage only government-owned firms.

Last month, the civic agency had called bids from consulting firms for the preparation of PC-I, design and supervision of the Kashmir Chowk underpass, overhauling and expansion of service road (East) of Expressway from Faizabad to Gulberg Green stop and the 11th Avenue project.

Sources said in response to CDA’s advertisement, several firms submitted their bids; however, after opening technical bids the civic agency stopped the process and did not open the financial bids. Meanwhile, it decided to go for government-owned consultant firms such as Nespak, Punjab government’s consultant firms and others.

“Now CDA is going to hire government owned firm only under section 42 (F) of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rule. CDA has written letter to government owned firms in this regard,” said an official of the CDA, adding that on April 30, the government-owned firms will submit their financial bids.

To a query, the official said, the profile of firms which had applied earlier could not attract the civic agency.

The sources said that once hired, the firms were supposed to complete their work within six to eight weeks after which the CDA will call financial bids for the projects.

It is relevant to note that the nine-kilometre-long Service Road (East) along the Islamabad Expressway is currently full of potholes. The CDA will overhaul the service road from Faizabad to the Gulberg Green stop.

For hundreds of commuters who use this route daily from Faizabad to Koral, the journey has become increasingly strenuous. Earlier, in the fiscal year 2020-21, the CDA had earmarked Rs500 million for the rehabilitation of the road and tenders were also invited. However, the process was suddenly stopped.

Meanwhile, the CDA will construct an underpass at Kashmir Chowk (also known as Dhokri Chowk near Islamabad Club). The 11th Avenue project, a major principal road dividing sectors G-11 and G-12, will also be constructed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (during his first stint) had laid the foundation stone of 11th Avenue in June 2023, but work could not be started yet by the CDA.

As per the original alignment, the road was supposed to start from IJP Road to link Margalla Road after passing through E-11.

A two-km portion of the road, known as Iran Avenue from D-12 to E-11, has already been constructed.

An official said besides focusing on these three projects, the CDA should also pay heeds towards completion of 10th Avenue - a project which is almost abandoned for the last one year because of the funding issue. 10th Avenue is a federal-funded project, but the government had dropped it from the list of its budget 2025-26. Since then, the project is almost stalled and the structure built is decaying. Earthwork and structure of bridges had already been completed from IJP Road to H-9 area.

“There is a need to complete 10th Avenue project as well,” said the official.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026