Major Islamabad traffic project includes four slip roads and is expected to ease congestion at one of the capital’s busiest junctions.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has laid the foundation stone of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass, a Rs1.4 billion infrastructure project aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving movement through one of Islamabad’s busiest intersections.

The project was formally launched during a groundbreaking ceremony in Islamabad, where Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf briefed the prime minister on the scope and cost of the scheme.

The underpass has been finalised at a cost of Rs1.4 billion, lower than the initial estimated cost of Rs1.6 billion. The project also includes the construction of four slip roads to improve traffic flow around Kashmir Chowk.

Kashmir Chowk currently handles around 107,000 vehicles every day, resulting in frequent traffic congestion, delays and traffic conflicts, particularly during peak hours and VIP movements.

The new underpass is expected to improve traffic movement, reduce travel delays and strengthen connections across Islamabad’s road network. The project is also being viewed as part of wider efforts to improve mobility between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

According to project details, the work is being carried out by Habib Construction Services (HCS). The bidding process was completed recently, with the company’s financial bid opened after another bidder was declared non-responsive. HCS was issued the work order against a bid of approximately Rs1.45 billion, compared with the tender’s NIT cost of Rs1.486 billion.

The official project completion period in the bidding documents is 90 days. However, CDA officials have expressed confidence that the contractor can complete the work in around one month, based on its previous performance on major infrastructure projects in Islamabad.

The project comes as Islamabad prepares for further road and urban development works. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the underpass is also linked to preparations for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference.

He further said that after completion of the underpass and the ongoing Islamabad Expressway expansion, travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi would become significantly easier.

The government is also planning several other urban development initiatives in Islamabad, including the proposed transformation of F-9 Park into Hyde Park, a large Safari Park near Malpur and another major park project.