ISLAMABAD: The expansion of Attaturk Avenue — commonly known as Embassy Road — is continuing at a snail’s pace due to a row between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) over shifting of electricity cables.

Work on the project slowed down in October last year when the dispute arose.

A local court decided the matter in favour of the CDA but the decision was challenged in the sessions court which decided in favour of Iesco.

So far, 55pc work has been completed and if dispute is not resolved soon, the project will not be ready within deadline of September

Later, the CDA moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the sessions court decision.

Sources said structural work had almost completed but the civic agency was unable to continue the work in full swing because of the cables.

The CDA has been claiming that Iesco laid the cables on the civic agency’s land without approval and, therefore, was bound to shift them.

It also says Iesco laid the cables without approval and, therefore, has no right to claim compensation or a fee for removing them.

But Iesco is of the view that it laid the cables in the 70s and if the CDA wanted to get them removed, it should bear the cost of shifting.

The source said so far 55pc work on the project had been completed and if the dispute was not resolved soon, the civic agency would not be able to complete the project within the deadline of September.

As per the original PC worth Rs235 million, the CDA was supposed to expand Khayaban-i-Suhrawardi to Ayub Chowk. However, after an objection raised by the Ministry of Climate Change last year, it reduced the scope of the project. Now the road will be expanded up to D-Chowk on Jinnah Avenue.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CDA on Sunday said its Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed visited Ataturk Avenue to inspect progress of work.

He directed the concerned formation that till such a time the road work was completed, temporary arrangements for traffic should be made at G-6 intersection leading to State Bank Chowk.

The press release said at a meeting with the engineering and planning section, the CDA chairman directed the officers concerned to issue notices for the next meeting of the Capital Development Authority Development Party (CDA-DWP) so that the project of E-12 and Park Enclave could be approved.

The meeting was informed that PC-I of I-15 was ready and shall be placed in the next meeting of the DWP.

The engineering wing was tasked with ensuring commencement of the development work on I-15 and E-12 before June 30.

The chairman also directed the concerned formations that tenders for approved projects such as G-7/G-8 underpass, Rawal Dam Chowk and IJP Road traffic management should be issued in the coming week.

The meeting was told that as finances of the CDA were gradually improving, more pending projects shall be taken up on priority.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2019