Pakistan

Engineers told to complete Sohan interchange by Sept

Mayor wants all roadwork expedited, landscaping and lights included in construction work

Our Correspondent July 18, 2017

Mayor wants all roadwork expedited, landscaping and lights included in construction work. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Mayor and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Shiekh Anser Aziz has urged the engineering wing of the civic agency to expedite work on the Sohan interchange and to complete it at least two months ahead of time.

He said this while inspecting work on the signal-free corridor, Islamabad Expressway, Sohan and Khannapul interchanges on Monday.

Construction work on Islamabad's Airport Chowk yet to start

Engineering Member Asad Kiyani told Aziz that after work on the Koral Chowk Interchange was completed, construction on the Sohan and Khannapul interchanges started in January this year.

Built at an estimated cost of around Rs2 billion each, the projects are expected to be completed in November.

Noting the importance of the signal-free corridor, Aziz urged the engineering wing to complete the projects before their stipulated time.

He further directed the wing to complete the phase-wise construction work on Sohan Interchange by the end of August instead of November. He added that in the next phase, construction on the Khanapul Interchange should be completed before the stated delivery time.

The mayor also directed the departments concerned to take advantage of the monsoon season and plant grass along with different species of plants and trees in places where construction work has been completed.

Aziz called for proper landscaping and shifting of service lanes and to include this as part of the construction work.

To protect roads from damage during heavy rains, he directed that a proper drainage system should be built along the roads.

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Later while visiting the Koral Chowk Interchange, Aziz inspected the tree plantation drive and green belt. Dissatisfied over the slow pace of work, he directed the departments concerned to expedite landscaping and get the streetlights working. He added that the tree plantation drive should not affect the traffic at the Koral Chowk Interchange.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2017.