ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is set to begin formal construction of the Kashmir Check underpass on Murree Road after September 27, following the award of a rs1.45 billion construction contract.
The project is being developed at Kashmir Chok, also known as Dhokri Check, near Islamabad Club. Habib Construction Services (HCS) submitted the successful financial bid of Rs1.45 billion against the tender’s estimated cost of Rs1.486 billion.
Preparatory activities have already begun at the site, including clearing and grubbing, planning for traffic diversions and shifting of utility services; formal construction is expected to commence after the project’s groundbreaking.
According to the bidding documents, the underpass has a scheduled completion period of 90 days. However, sources cited in the report said the CDA expect to be completed in around two months under a fast-track construction plan.
The underpass is designed to improve traffic movement between Islamabad and Rawalpindi along the Murree Road corridor. Under the planned traffic arrangement, vehicles travelling toward Rawalpindi from the Serena side will pass through the underpass, while traffic heading towards Murree will use the road over the structure.
The project’s design was prepared by the Lahore team of the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK).
The CDA has also indicated that the project should remain within the approved contract value and that any changes to the scope should be limited to situations permitted under applicable procurement rules.
The Kashmir Chowk project is part of the CDA’s recent programme of major road infrastructure developments in Islamabad. Other recently completed projects include the Serena Chowk Interchange, Murree Road underpass, T-Chowk flyover, Shaheen Chowk underpass and F-8 interchange.
Meanwhile, the CDA is also considering the launch of the 11th Avenue project, while the federally funded 10th Avenue project remains stalled at around 50 percent completion because of funding constraints.
