ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry on Wednesday approved the designs of two road projects.
The ministers visited CDA where they were briefed about the proposed development projects. They approved the designs of Kashmir and Shaheen Chowk underpasses.
As per the designs, vehicles moving from Serena Hotel side towards Club Road (Murree Road) will pass through an underpass which will be built at Kashmir Chowk commonly known as Dhokri Chowk. The top slab (roof of the underpass) will be used for vehicles moving towards Murree.
Similarly, an underpass will be built at Khayaban-i-Iqbal (known as Margalla Road) at the junction of 9th Avenue, and traffic on the avenue will pass through the underpass while its top slab will be used to connect 9th Avenue with the service road through outside educational institutions in the area.
The meeting also discussed repair and improvement work on Faizabad Interchange. The CDA officers told the ministers that tenders had been floated in this regard and after completing the procedural requirement work would be awarded to the lowest bidder.
Meanwhile, sources said the interior minister also took notice of the dilapidated condition of service road east of Islamabad Expressway. The service road, which starts at Faizabad and ends at Koral, is being used by thousands of residents of surrounding areas. However, the road is in a dilapidated condition and full of potholes.
Sources said the minister directed the CDA to take steps for overhauling this road. They said the installation of a toll plaza on the service road also came under discussion, but the minister said CDA’s first priority should be overhauling the road before discussing the option of a toll plaza.
The sources said that the meeting discussed several other projects that included proposed Safari Park, D-Chowk revamping and business model of CDA officers’ hostel.
The controversial tunnel project of Margalla Hills also came under discussion; however, the meeting was told that in the past when the idea was floated, Supreme Court took suo motu notice against the proposed project. The sources said after hearing this, the meeting stopped further discussion on the project.
Meanwhile, the sources said the minister directed the CDA to expedite efforts for disposal of three five-star hotels plots; two located near Marriot Hotel and one near Rawal Dam chowk. Both the ministers decided to hold another meeting to discuss water and sanitation related projects.
“Focusing on development projects is good, as these are need of the city, but real focus should be paid on water issue as the city is facing rapid growth in its population. No new water source has been explored to meet the growing need of water during the last three decades. This is high time to look into this issue otherwise in coming years people will face a crisis like situation,” said a source in the CDA.
CDA board meeting
Earlier, the CDA board meeting was held with Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa in the chair. The board deliberated on revision of rates for industrial plots and decided to significantly reduce the charges applicable on plot conversion, amalgamation and subdivision.
It was also decided that residential charges will be collected on farmhouses instead of industrial charges.
The board also authorised Machinery Pool Organization to participate in bidding process of CDA as well in private sector to secure contracts for road construction projects to generate revenue.
The meeting decided to acquire the services of a consultant for the construction of residential facilities for female officers in H-8.
Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2025
