Roadwork: Expansion of Kashmir Highway begins

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has commenced work on the widening of Kashmir Highway from Zero Point Interchange Project (ZPI) up to Peshawar Mor on 9th Avenue. Two lanes will be added on either side of the carriageway.

CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal performed the ground breaking of the project on Tuesday. Members of the authority and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

While addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Iqbal said the one kilometre patch of Kashmir Highway between Zero Point Interchange and 9th Avenue required upgrading to the level of the Zero Point project as commuters must quickly decrease speed in this patch, which is dangerous. This abrupt change from four lanes to two was also causing congestion and safety hazards for commuters.

The Rs50 million project is due for completion by December 31, 2012, and construction work on the New Islamabad Airport is expected to be completed by next year. Once the new airport becomes operational, traffic on the road is also expected to increase.

The CDA chairman said the civic body is striving to provide quality road infrastructure for the capital, adding that the authority has initiated a new era of development in the city with work on Margalla Avenue, Kashmir Highway, 11th Avenue and a number of other projects in an effort to make Islamabad a model metropolis.

He said basic issues of the city are being addressed including affordable public transport facility and the provision of potable water.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2012.