The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is moving ahead with two major infrastructure projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Islamabad.
As part of the initiative, a flyover or interchange is planned on GT Road to provide direct access to the Islamabad Expressway for vehicles arriving from Lahore. Simultaneously, the CDA is set to construct an underpass at Shaheen Chowk — the intersection of Khayaban-e-Iqbal (Margalla Road) and 9th Avenue — to allow uninterrupted traffic flow on 9th Avenue.
According to CDA Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, these projects are part of a broader effort to improve traffic circulation across the capital. The underpass at Shaheen Chowk will also include a top slab that connects 9th Avenue with the adjacent service road, helping streamline movement in the area.
Technical bids for both projects have already been submitted. Three firms are in the running for the Shaheen Chowk underpass, which carries an estimated cost of PKR 1.3 billion, while two companies are competing for the GT Road flyover, expected to cost around PKR 1.4 billion. Financial bids will be opened following the completion of technical evaluations.
The underpass at Shaheen Chowk is expected to be completed within 150 days of commencement, whereas the GT Road flyover will take an estimated 180 days. Both projects are being financed through proceeds from the CDA’s recent commercial plot auctions.
Once completed, the developments are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion on some of Islamabad’s busiest corridors.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
