ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started work to turn a section of Islamabad’s Blue Area into a car-free pedestrian zone, featuring food outlets, walking tracks, and digital displays.
According to CDA officials, the Rs240 million project covers an 800-metre stretch from Savour Foods to Khyber Plaza along Jinnah Avenue. The area will be completely closed to vehicles, creating a safe and lively space for people to walk, dine, and shop.
Parking for visitors will be available at the nearby multi-storey parking plaza, which can hold around 950 vehicles. Another 150 parking spaces will be provided in front of Khyber Plaza, opposite the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
The project, described as a “walk-and-shop” zone, is being launched as a pilot initiative. If successful, similar pedestrian streets will be developed in Jinnah Super Market and other commercial areas across Islamabad.
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To make the area more accessible, CDA will introduce electric carts for senior citizens and children. Food stalls from popular brands will be set up, while large digital screens will be installed at entry and exit points to display entertainment and public information.
A CDA official said the project has already begun and will be completed within 45 days. “We finalized the design after consulting with Blue Area traders to ensure it benefits businesses as well,” the official added.
Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza said the project aims to offer residents an enjoyable food and shopping experience in the city’s heart. “This is an ideal location for a food street and family recreation. We plan to complete all work, including lighting, within two months,” he said.
He noted that the project was launched on the directions of the interior minister and CDA chairman to improve public facilities in Islamabad.
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Currently, Islamabad has only one designated food street — the Melody Food Park — which has struggled to attract visitors due to poor parking and maintenance issues. Although the Azerbaijani government recently helped beautify the area, it still faces operational challenges.
Melody Food Park was originally developed during Kamran Lashari’s tenure as CDA chairman and was once a popular spot, but visitor numbers declined over time because of poor food quality and lack of facilities.
In addition to the Blue Area pedestrian zone, CDA also plans to establish Capital Street near Shakarparian, next to the Art and Craft Village. It will feature restaurants, art workshops, an expo hall, and family recreation areas. However, development work on that project has not yet begun despite earlier land auctions.
