ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) management on Tuesday showed concerns over the closure of the multi-billion rupee projects — Bhara Kahu bypass and the I.J. Principal Road — to heavy traffic and directed the relevant wing to get both roads opened for all kinds of traffic.

According to officials, CDA Chairman Anwarul Haq, while presiding over a meeting to review various projects, took notice of the closure of the Bhara Kahu bypass and a portion of the I.J. Principal Road near Sabzi Mandi for heavy traffic.

He said these projects were completed after spending billions of rupees and therefore they should be opened to traffic to provide maximum benefit to the public.

The Bhara Kahu bypass project incurred over Rs6.5 billion, and its cost would rise further by over Rs1.5 billion because of additional work. Currently, a consultant, as a third-party validation, is reviewing the additional work and its cost.

Talking to Dawn, CDA officials said there was no issue with the structural stability of both projects and that they were closed to heavy traffic due to technical reasons. They explained that the bypass road had been closed to heavy traffic as it had a few sharp curves, which could be dangerous for speeding heavy vehicles. However, they agreed that the closure of roads is not a solution; rather, with the installation of speed breakers and signboards and deployment of traffic police, the issue could be resolved.

“Since the chairman passed a clear direction today, I hope this issue will be resolved in the coming days and the bypass will be opened to heavy traffic as well,” an official said.

Meanwhile, the sources said during the meeting, the CDA chief directed that heavy traffic should also be allowed on Karnal Sher Khan Road, formerly known as I.J. Principal Road. They said during the meeting, it was discussed that a flyover on the road near Sabzi Mandi was closed to heavy traffic due to a landing issue on a regular road.

The meeting was told that when heavy traffic would land on a regular road, instead of rigid lanes, it would occupy flexible lanes, which were meant for light traffic as there was encroachment on both sides of the road in the said area. The sources said it was decided that CDA would remove all types of encroachment in the area, and with the support of traffic police, heavy traffic would be directed to use rigid lanes only.

“But keeping the flyover on Karnal Sher Khan Road closed for such a petty issue (encroachment) was not justified,” a CDA official said.

Sources further said the meeting also discussed other ongoing projects, including the expansion of Park Road and a portion of the road from Sector D-12 to Sector E-11. During the meeting, the chairman directed the engineering wing to ensure timely removal of utility services from Park Road and timely completion of this project.

Meanwhile, the meeting was told that the road project from D-12 to E-11 was near completion and would likely be opened to traffic after some weeks. Sources said the project review meeting would also take place on Wednesday to review the progress of other ongoing projects.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023