ISLAMABAD: The Shaheen Chowk underpass is set to be inaugurated next week as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday inspected the project and directed the Capital Development Authority to ensure final works are completed without delay. The project is aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion on one of Islamabad’s busiest junctions.
The foundation stone of the underpass was laid by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on October 24. Since then the project has progressed at an accelerated pace and has now reached its final stage. According to an official statement issued by the Interior Ministry around ninety percent of construction work has been completed.
During the visit CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the interior minister on the current status of the project. He informed that the entire structural framework has been completed while road surfacing and finishing works are underway. The minister directed the authority to complete all remaining tasks swiftly so the project can be opened to traffic next week.
Addressing officials at the site Mohsin Naqvi said the underpass would significantly reduce traffic pressure on surrounding roads and improve daily commuting for thousands of motorists. He added that the project would provide long term relief to residents and commuters travelling between key sectors of the capital.
The original cost of the project was estimated at Rs1.3 billion. However the CDA revised the scope by expanding the scale of work which resulted in a cost increase of about fifteen percent. The design was also modified with the length of the underpass barrel increased from fifty six metres to eighty five metres to improve traffic flow and safety.
The underpass has been constructed at the junction of Ninth Avenue and Khayaban e Iqbal commonly known as Margalla Road where traffic congestion was a routine problem. Although the project was initially scheduled for completion by April it was completed on a fast track basis. Once inaugurated it is expected to play a key role in improving Islamabad’s urban traffic management system.
