ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Faizabad Interchange to check the traffic situation and the condition of the infrastructure before its upcoming remodeling work begins.
As per the details, he instructed officials to create a traffic management plan to ensure commuters face minimal disruption during the construction, which is set to start soon.
Accompanied by Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, the minister asked the CDA to design the interchange to make it a notable and attractive landmark.
Naqvi emphasized the importance of the remodeling project, noting that Faizabad Interchange, built 27 years ago, connects Rawalpindi to Islamabad and serves as a key entry point to the capital.
During the visit, he reviewed the current traffic flow and infrastructure conditions. He also directed the CDA to enhance the interchange’s appearance with decorative lighting.
The Faizabad Interchange expansion project, approved by the minister in April, includes adding two new lanes and widening the existing structure to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel for thousands of daily commuters.
Completed in 1998, the interchange links Islamabad Highway and Murree Road and is a major entry and exit point for Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It has often been a focal point during protests, with police using containers to block it during long marches and sit-ins.
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On May 28, Naqvi, along with Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry, visited the CDA offices for a briefing on planned development projects in Islamabad.
CDA officials informed them that tenders for the repair and upgrade of Faizabad Interchange had been issued, and the work would be awarded to the lowest bidder after completing necessary procedures.
In the same meeting, designs for underpasses at Kashmir Chowk and Shaheen Chowk were also approved.
Electric Buses on Google Maps
In a separate development, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa directed that all electric bus routes, stops, and schedules be added to Google Maps to help passengers access the eco-friendly service more easily.
This instruction was given during a meeting with CDA board members. He said buses should be shown on Google Maps with their colors and stop details to help passengers identify them and check arrival times.
Randhawa also directed that debit card payments be introduced for fares. Additionally, he asked for special weekly, monthly, and quarterly fare packages, along with discount cards for daily commuters, students, and senior citizens.
He was informed that the electric bus service is performing well, with around 95,000 passengers using it, surpassing initial estimates. The chairman said efforts would be made to bring the service up to international standards and to add more bus routes based on demand.
CDA Upgrades Electric Bus Service
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) announced plans to improve Islamabad’s electric bus service by enhancing digital access, adding payment options, and offering discounted fares for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
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These decisions were made in a meeting, chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, with senior officials, including CDA board members and the CEO of the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), present to review the bus service’s performance and discuss ways to make it more convenient for passengers.
The chairman instructed that all electric bus routes, stops, and schedules be added to Google Maps with clear colors and real-time updates to help passengers plan their trips.
To make payments easier, the CDA will work with banks to allow fare payments via Mastercard, Visa, and other bank cards.
Special fare passes for daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly use will be introduced to make the service more affordable, with extra discounts for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Randhawa stressed the need to expand routes based on passenger needs and increase daily ridership.
