ISLAMABAD: The federal government is planning a new mega project to link Margalla Avenue with the Peshawar Motorway (M-1). Officials said the government may hand over the entire project to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for quick completion.
Margalla Avenue currently runs from E-11 to GT Road in Sangjani. Under the new plan, it will be extended to connect with M-1 near the AWT Housing Society. The total road length will be 5.2 kilometres — 2.7 km in Islamabad and 2.5 km in Rawalpindi.
Earlier, CDA was given the Islamabad portion, while the National Highway Authority (NHA) was tasked with building the Rawalpindi section.
However, the government is now considering directing the NHA to transfer the project to CDA, along with Rs4.2 billion already approved for its part. Land acquisition on both sides will also be completed by the respective authorities.
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According to estimates, the full project will cost Rs7.7 billion, excluding land acquisition expenses. Officials said the road will be a six-lane controlled-access facility and will serve as an alternative route for traffic between GT Road (N-5) and Islamabad.
CDA’s approved PC-I of Rs3.5 billion includes a 2.7 km three-lane dual carriageway, service roads, a cloverleaf interchange, a flyover, one underpass, eight culverts and three subways.
NHA’s PC-I worth Rs4.2 billion had proposed a three-lane dual carriageway without service roads, but with one flyover, one bridge, seven underpasses and 10 box culverts.
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Officials said work on the project would start soon, either under one agency or separately. “The maximum benefit of Margalla Avenue can only be achieved after it is linked with M-1,” a CDA paper stated.
Margalla Avenue, which has a 600-foot right of way, was partly developed by CDA on 400 feet between D-12 and GT Road. Acquisition of remaining land and built-up structures is still pending, along with fencing work.
CDA’s Member Engineering, Syed Nafasat Raza, confirmed the authority’s readiness. “Our PC-I is already approved and we want to start this project soon. If the federal government gives us the Rawalpindi portion as well, we will complete it in one go. Once finished, it will be very beneficial for the public,” he said.
