PM breaks ground on 4 capital projects

The projects will ease flow of traffic in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday launched work on four mega projects in the federal capital, including projects to ease traffic flow on some of the busiest arteries of the city besides starting development work on the residential Sector I-15/3.

The development projects launched by the prime minister included the Rawal Dam Chowk Interchange, the Korang Bridge, and the PWD Interchange. He also launched the first phase of development works in Sector I-15.

Before unveiling the plaques for these development projects, PM Imran was briefed about the significance of these projects for residents of the federal capital. The construction of the Rawal Dam Interchange is crucial in the wake of growing load on Park Road and Murree Road owing to increased population in the adjoining areas.

The traffic management project will be completed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) using its financial resources within two years.

The PWD Interchange and the Korang Bridge are the two bottlenecks on the Islamabad Expressway, which cater to light local and heavy traffic between Islamabad, Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The PM was told that the road had already been converted into a signal-free corridor from Faisal Mosque to Koral Chowk, however, a portion between Koral and Rawat is yet to be widened and made signal-free. The construction of the PWD Interchange and the Korang Underpass, however, will greatly resolve the issue of traffic congestion on the Expressway.

This project will also be executed by the CDA and is set to be completed 15 and seven months respectively. This project though will be funded by the federal government through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

He was told that the contract for the three road projects had been awarded to a joint venture between Maqbool Associates and Calsons.

Separately, developing Sector I-15 for residential purposes will help address the agony of those who had been allotted plots in the residential sector, which had been launched by the CDA some two decades ago to accommodate people from low-income groups.

PM Imran appreciated the role of CDA in developing housing sectors and the steps taken to ensure better traffic management in Islamabad.

He also emphasized upon ensuring the protection of green areas of the federal capital during the execution of these development projects

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by members of the federal cabinet members, the CDA chairman and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration chief commissioner and other senior officers.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2020.