ISLAMABAD: To reduce traffic and improve road links, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to add a third lane to the two-lane Srinagar Highway between Jinnah Square (Serena Interchange) and Murree Road.
According to the newspaper report, the Murree Road underpass is almost finished and will be officially opened on May 22.
Last week, the CDA issued tenders worth Rs1 billion for road widening and improvements around Jinnah Square. Work on the underpass at the Murree Road and Srinagar Highway junction is ongoing and nearly complete.
A newspaper report stated that about 80% of the underpass project is done, with final work to be completed soon.
Once the underpass is ready, drivers coming from Murree will have direct access to Srinagar Highway. Currently, vehicles from Kashmir/Murree must go to Dhokri Chowk and turn right to reach Srinagar Highway.
The underpass is part of the Rs4.2 billion Jinnah Square project. The CDA saved Rs250 million from the main project and used it, along with Rs600 million from other funds, for the underpass.
A few months ago, the CDA board allowed the engineering team to have the Jinnah Square contractor handle the underpass work. A CDA officer explained that rules permit increasing a project’s scope by up to 15%, so the board approved using the same contractor without a new tender. Savings from the earlier project also helped fund the work.
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In addition to the underpass, the CDA issued a tender last week for road widening. This includes building a new slip road to connect Globe Chowk to Srinagar Highway.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Jinnah Square underpass site to check on progress. A press release from the interior ministry said the walls of the underpass are complete, and work on the roof has started. The underpass is set to open on May 22.
During the visit, Naqvi instructed that all work be fully completed this month. He was pleased with the progress and quality of work despite recent rain.
The minister also asked for green areas and landscaping to be developed around the project and inspected a nearby bridge under construction.
CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa reported that 75% of the project is complete. Three of the four slip roads are finished and open to traffic for public use.
In another development, the provincial government plans to study the possibility of building two underpasses at Chandani Chowk on Murree Road and Marrir Road, and a flyover on IJ Principal Road in the next fiscal year, following suggestions from local lawmakers.
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According to the details, a senior official from the Housing and Urban Development Department said that lawmakers Hanif Abbasi from NA-56 and Danyal Chaudhry from NA-57 proposed these projects for their areas.
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) included the plan in the 2025–26 annual development program, with Rs40 million suggested for each project.
The official explained that a feasibility study will be done first, and the projects will start after work on The Mall and Adiala Road is finished. The government also plans to build an underpass or flyover at Kutcheri Chowk next year. A study for the Marrir Chowk underpass will be conducted to prepare for construction after the Kutcheri Chowk project.
