Islamabad, JULY27: Since it was unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his first term last year, the projected flyover at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal has not advanced.
The “Shaheen Chowk flyover” project, which was valued at Rs1.649 billion and was officially launched by the prime minister in July of last year, was supposed to be finished in six months. Noorul Amin Mengal, the CDA chairman at the time, issued tenders and authorized the project’s PC-I prior to the inauguration.
On the other hand, reports claim that Mengal was moved from the CDA in August of last year. After he was transferred, the project was “shelved” by CDA’s engineering division because just one of the four construction companies was qualified. Since then, the project has stagnated because no significant attempt has been made to re-tender it.
In addition to enlarging and enhancing the current Khayaban-i-Iqbal, PC-I states that the flyover at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal, also known as Margalla Road, was to have three spans with four lanes.
The project is important since it connects both roadways (9th Avenue and Khayaban-i-Iqbal), according to sources. Along with the National Defence University, Air University, Bahria University, defense-related sectors like E-8, and residential sectors like F-7, F-8, and E-7, the area also houses a number of defense ministry offices.
The flyover was built to reduce traffic congestion in the mentioned area by increasing the effectiveness of the road network. In addition to cutting down on travel time and fuel expenses, it sought to alleviate the burden on commuters.
During his first term, PM Sharif not only lay the foundation stone for the Shaheen Chowk project but also for the 11th Avenue project, which has not yet started. Recently, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa ordered the engineering wing of the CDA to start work right away after learning about the 11th Avenue issue.
Sources claim that he also told the relevant officials how unhappy he was and gave them instructions to finish the project’s design in a matter of weeks so that tenders could be released.Upon being contacted, CDA Chairman Shahid Kiani, Director of Public Relations, stated that the project was still on CDA’s priority list, having received advice from members of the engineering side.
He claims that in addition to carrying out this project, the civic organization will also start building the PTCL Chowk junction project on 9th Avenue. “Work for both PTCL Chowk and Shaheen Chowk, which are planned to be built on 9th Avenue, will start at the same time. Massive traffic gridlock is anticipated. He added that once constructed, the Shaheen Chowk will act as a quick link to connect Margalla Road with the highway in order to prevent traffic congestion. Work will start on the PTCL Chowk first, followed by the Shaheen Chowk because both are connected.
“The matter of Margalla Road and Khayaban-i-Iqbal is being examined comprehensively, in accordance with the directives of the CDA chairman. To cut down on travel time from the freeway to the presidency, we’re going to connect Margalla Road with it,” he continued.
