Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday performed the groundbreaking of the Shaheen Chowk Underpass, a Rs1.3 billion project aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion in the federal capital.
The project, to be executed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), involves the construction of an underpass at the busy junction of Khayaban-i-Iqbal (Margalla Road) and 9th Avenue — an intersection that faces severe bottlenecks during rush hours due to the presence of government offices and educational institutions in the vicinity.
According to project details, traffic on Margalla Road will pass through the underpass, while the top slab will link 9th Avenue with the adjoining service roads.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of maintaining construction quality and enhancing the city’s visual appeal through sustainable and well-planned development. He stressed that all ongoing and future projects, including the construction of new hotels, must meet international standards.
The Prime Minister lauded Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, CDA officials, and contractors for ensuring quality and efficiency in the execution of ongoing infrastructure initiatives in Islamabad.
Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Shaheen Chowk Underpass would significantly improve traffic movement and has been designed to complement the natural beauty of Margalla Road.
He revealed that the government is encouraging private investment in the hospitality sector, with three five-star hotels currently operational in the capital and more in the pipeline. Naqvi added that construction of a State Guest House and a Capital House is also underway, with one project already started and the other expected to break ground in January next year.
The minister further shared that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, in collaboration with the CDA, will begin work on a joint hotel venture on January 1.
Highlighting upcoming projects, Naqvi announced plans for a new convention centre in Islamabad that will be four times larger than the existing facility and designed to host major international events, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. He said the groundbreaking of the new convention centre would be performed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in January next year.
Naqvi also mentioned that work on the T-Chowk flyover is in its final stages and expected to be completed by December, after which the Prime Minister will be requested to inaugurate the project.
