ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The interior ministry has directed the Capital Development Authority to cut down the total estimated cost of I.J. Principal Road by 30 per cent, a reliable source in the ministry told Dawn.

The total cost of widening and reconstruction of the road, as estimated by the CDA, is Rs932 million, the source said. The ministry has also directed the Authority to make a comprehensive plan to regularize commercial activities along the road after its completion.

Following the directives, the CDA is preparing a plan to formulate rules and regulations to cope with irregularities, encroachment of state land and traffic mess on the road.

The 10.2 kilometres road, which links Faizabad to the GT Road, will be completed in five phases. The company, which has been awarded the construction contract, will start work from GT Road’s side. The CDA board has already approved the PC-1 of the project.

A CDA official said the first phase includes completion of 4.5-kilometre duel carriage, building two bridges and improving Nullahs falling in the way.

The work on Nullahs will be done in accordance with the instructions and directives of Federal Flood Commission to avoid any eventuality in case of floods, he added. A long standing issue of Railway crossing at I-J Principal Road, that has become a severe traffic hazard, will also be resolved in the project.

Pakistan Railways has agreed to construct an under-pass so that the traffic on the road will not be disturbed.

The CDA has also decided to remove all Kutcha Abadis established along the road and shift the dwellers outside the city.