ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: The Rs4 billion Zero Point Interchange (ZPI) is likely to be delayed by two more months due to reinforcement of Shakarparian cliff, which has become vulnerable to land sliding after a loop was constructed on it near the National Monument, sources told Dawn on Monday. But on the other hand the city managers have decided to get the project inaugurated by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in January’s first week.The construction firm has been asked to seek assistance of an international firm with specific technology and apparatus called VSL – steel strings to reinforce the cliff. “We have asked the firm to get foreign made VSL, preferably from France, and quote fresh rate of items to be used in reinforcement process,” said Project Director Mumtaz Ahmed. The process of quoting fresh rates of imported items, approval by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and reinforcement work would take at least two more months.

The National Monument on the cliff constructed on the desire of former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007, costing Rs700 million, was said to be the main hurdle in constructing a loop of ZPI. It led to change in the design of the interchange as the loop’s size was reduced. Due to presence of monument, the loop was constructed on the lower side of the cliff, where cutting and excavation has made it vulnerable to land sliding.

As the process of compressing and reinforcing hills requires ample time, the project is unlikely to be completed within the second deadline, December 31.

The ZPI, which was to be completed by September 31 this year, has been delayed because of payment problems, VVIP movement on the roads falling in the project and security reasons. Maqbool Associates, the construction company, was given three more months to complete the project.

“All portions of the interchange would be completed by December 31 but not one of its loop close to National Monument,” CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi told Dawn on Monday. In the next few days, the CDA bosses will request the prime minister to inaugurate the project in the first week of January.

Apart from one of the loops, an under construction bridge on a nullah at Kashmir Highway, which is part of the project, will not be completed by the end of this month. Landscaping and tree plantation in and around the interchange will also take some time.

“We will complete the portion under main Zero Point bridge and other works on loops by December 31. But work on the loop close to the monument, Shakarparian cliff and the bridge at Kashmir Highway will not be completed before the deadline,” the project director said.

The project was formally started in September 2009 after preparing designs to overcome problems due to National Monument near the Zero Point crossing.

Link roads between Faisal Avenue and Khayaban-i-Suhrawardy, Faisal Avenue and Kashmir Highway, Kashmir Highway and Faisal Avenue, Islamabad Highway and Kashmir Highway and the second lane of Khayaban-i-Suhrawardy and Kashmir Highway have been opened for traffic. The loop between Kashmir Highway to Faisal Avenue – towards Faisal Masjid – has also been opened for traffic.

Work on loop between Faisal Avenue to Kashmir Highway – from Aabpara to Murree – and Kashmir Highway to Faizabad has been completed but so far not opened for traffic.