Islamabad, 29 Apr, 2025: Samungli Flyover Construction in Quetta has been temporarily halted by the Balochistan High Court, which has raised concerns over the project’s financial feasibility and directed officials to consider more affordable options, such as an underpass.
The decision was delivered during a hearing on Monday, where a constitutional petition challenging the ongoing development was reviewed.
A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, expressed serious reservations about the flyover’s projected cost, which reportedly stands at Rs. 4.2 billion, including the expense of acquiring land.
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In light of these concerns, the court ordered the immediate suspension of all work related to the Samungli Flyover Construction and instructed the project director of the Chief Minister’s Quetta Development Package to explore lower-cost alternatives.
The bench advised that a comprehensive reassessment of the project’s structure and financial impact was essential.
During the session, the judges questioned whether constructing an underpass might offer a more practical and economical solution for easing traffic congestion along Quetta’s Samungli Road.
The project director responded by requesting time to conduct a fresh survey evaluating the feasibility of an east-west underpass.
The court approved the request and directed the official to prepare a detailed cost comparison between the proposed underpass and the existing flyover plan.
This comparison must account for both construction and land acquisition costs to help determine the most viable option moving forward.
In its remarks, the court emphasized that public resources must be used judiciously and that infrastructure projects should be pursued with cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits in mind.
It also warned that no further construction activity should proceed until a final verdict is reached based on the findings of the cost assessment.
The case has been adjourned until May 15, giving the concerned authorities time to submit their revised proposals.
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This legal intervention comes amid growing scrutiny of urban development projects in Balochistan, where budget constraints often clash with infrastructure ambitions.
The court’s directive is being seen as a call for more responsible urban planning and better utilization of public funds.
Stakeholders are now awaiting the next hearing, which is expected to shape the future course of traffic infrastructure development along the critical Samungli Road corridor.
