ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has revised the design of the Shaheen Chowk underpass, expanding the length of the barrel and incorporating new traffic features while the project remains under construction.
Located at the busy intersection of 9th Avenue and Khyaban-i-Iqbal (Margalla Road), the underpass is intended to resolve chronic congestion at the junction. Officials confirmed that the barrel length has now been increased from 56 metres to 85 metres, alongside the addition of an extra lane to the roundabout and two new U-turns.
According to CDA engineers, the changes were deemed essential to ensure smoother traffic flow once the facility opens. They added that the revisions are being executed within the 15 per cent cost-adjustment allowance permitted under PPRA rules. “These adjustments fall within the approved scope. Member Engineering has clearly directed that the project must remain within the 15pc ceiling,” a senior official said, noting that any further minor requirements such as service road adjustments could be taken up through separate small-scale tenders if needed.
The Rs1.3 billion project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on October 24, is officially scheduled for completion in April. However, work is progressing rapidly, and government authorities are pushing to finish it by December 25. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa have been closely monitoring the pace of construction.
