ISLAMABAD: Another major infrastructure initiative is on the horizon, as the federal government considers linking Margalla Avenue with the Peshawar Motorway (M-1) through a new road project. The proposed plan aims to assign the entire scheme to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for swift and coordinated execution.
Margalla Avenue currently stretches from Sector E-11 to GT Road in Sangjani. Under the new scheme, it will be extended to connect directly with the M-1 near the AWT Housing Society. The total length of the link road will be 5.2 kilometres, with 2.7 kilometres falling within Islamabad’s jurisdiction and 2.5 kilometres under Rawalpindi.
Initially, the CDA was tasked with building the Islamabad portion, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) was responsible for the Rawalpindi section. However, sources said the federal government is now considering directing the NHA to surrender the project to the CDA so it can be completed as a single, integrated scheme. A final decision is expected soon from the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to the CDA’s approved PC-I, worth Rs3.5 billion, the authority plans to construct a three-lane dual carriageway with two-lane service roads, a cloverleaf interchange, a flyover, one underpass, eight culverts, and three subways. Meanwhile, the NHA’s PC-I, valued at Rs4.2 billion, proposes a similar three-lane dual carriageway—without service roads—along with one flyover, one bridge, seven underpasses, and 10 box culverts.
Officials said that if the CDA takes over the full project, the NHA would transfer Rs4.2 billion to the civic body for construction. Land acquisition for both Islamabad and Rawalpindi portions would be jointly undertaken by CDA, NHA, and respective district administrations.
“The combined cost of both portions amounts to Rs7.7 billion, excluding land acquisition,” an official said, adding that work is expected to begin soon, either jointly or in phases.
According to a CDA working paper, connecting Margalla Avenue with the M-1 is essential to realize the full benefits of the avenue, which serves as a six-lane corridor and provides an alternative route for traffic between GT Road (N-5) and Islamabad.
In 2021, then prime minister Imran Khan directed the CDA to develop the Islamabad stretch, while the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) was assigned the other side. The subsequent PDM government, however, handed over the Rawalpindi section to the NHA.
Margalla Avenue, with a right of way of 600 feet, was initially constructed on about 400 feet from D-12 to GT Road, leaving parts of the alignment and fencing incomplete due to pending land acquisition and built-up areas.
