Quetta: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a flyover on Samungli Road in Quetta, citing concerns over the project’s high cost and directing authorities to explore more economical alternatives such as an underpass.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, issued the directive during the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the financial viability of the project. The court was informed that the total cost of the flyover, including land acquisition, would reach PKR 4.2 billion.
In response, the bench instructed the project director from the Chief Minister’s Quetta development team to suspend all ongoing construction activities. “The authorities must consider cost-effective alternatives,” the bench remarked, urging officials to reassess the scope of the project.
When asked whether constructing an underpass instead of a flyover could be a feasible solution, the project director requested time to conduct a fresh survey. The court granted the request and ordered a cost comparison between the proposed underpass and the current flyover plan, taking into account both land acquisition and construction expenses.
Until this assessment is completed and a final decision is reached, the court has directed that no further work be carried out on the flyover. The hearing has been adjourned until May 15.
The decision reflects growing scrutiny of infrastructure spending in the province, where economic efficiency and public benefit remain key concerns in development planning.
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.
