ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: Newly-appointed Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Farkhand Iqbal made his presence felt on Wednesday by inaugurating a road project in Sector I-10.

The chairman, who joined CDA on Friday, got the first plaque in his name in the city which he unveiled during the inauguration ceremony that was attended by senior officials of the authority.

“Timely completion of the development projects must be ensured to reap their early benefits and avoid cost escalation,” he said on the occasion.

The project to dual Service Road (North) from I-10 to I-11 was launched on the directives of former CDA chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi.

Under the project, 2.1 kilometer road with a width of 24 feet and allied infrastructure including 200 feet bridge, four spans of 50 feet each, culverts and drainage system will be constructed.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs85.24 million while more than 20 per cent physical work has already been executed. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April, 2012.

The scope of the work also includes removal of 56 electric poles from the right of way and construction of 22 feet wide green belt along the road.

CDA chairman was apprised that the project would facilitate the traffic coming from the Kashmir Highway, 9th Avenue and adjacent highways including I. J. Principal Road particularly for the transportation of the industrial material to I-9 and I-10 industrial areas.

“Engineering wing of the authority should gear up its efforts for providing quality infrastructure to the residents of the federal capital,” he said.

Talking about persisting financial crunch in the CDA, he claimed that all-out efforts would be made to generate financial resources so that timely completion of the development projects might be ensured.

The road project is being executed by a construction firm, Arshad and Company. The contract was awarded to the firm on 19 per cent below the cost estimated by the CDA.