ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started asphalt work on the Bhara Kahu bypass project, with continuous efforts to get this job done by the end of next month.

Asphalt work of Malpur Interchange and starting point of the road has been started and the CDA officials Dawn spoke to said by the end of next month, road portion of the project would be completed.

Meanwhile, work on elevated portion of the project is also in progress. The officials said that work on the project is being conducted round the clock and the civic agency has been making every effort to get it complete as soon as possible, as directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The officials said that the elevated portion of the project could take a few weeks as despite all out efforts, due to engineering requirements, it may take some more time and hopefully in mid March, the entire project would be completed and would be opened for public.

CDA officials say efforts underway to finish work on road portion by next month

It is relevant to note here that CDA in its history has never executed any project at such a speed and the credit goes to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to CDA officials, the prime minister has been directly monitoring the project and its speed. Upon the PM’s directive, chairman of CDA also constantly visits the project site to ensure its early completion.

Meanwhile, while sharing progress of the project on his twitter, chairman of the authority retired Capt Mohammad Usman stated: “Out of 7 culverts, top slab of only 1 culvert remaining. Out of 5 underpasses, top slab of Shahadra & half top slab of Kiani Under pass remaining. Trumpet interchange complete except a portion of top slab. Nullah bridge complete except launching of girders & slab.”

While talking about elevated portion he said that all 244 piles were completed.

The prime minister had inaugurated the project on Sept 30 and the very next day, CDA had started work on it. So far, in three and half months, CDA officials said that over 60pc progress was made.

Initially, the PM had directed the CDA to complete this project by Feb 10, however, officials said that due to technical reasons, the project could take a few more weeks.

A resident of Bhara Kahu Zakir Hussain said that instead of focusing on speed, the CDA should focus on the quality of work and there is no harm if the project was delayed for a few weeks, but there should be no compromise on quality as this project will be a great relief for millions of people of Murree, Azad Kashmir, Galyat and for large numbers of tourists.

The project worth Rs6.5 billion starts from Malpur and also crosses through Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) land. According to the CDA, 199 kanals of land of the university falls in the alignment of the road while CDA in return has already offered 225 kanals to QAU.

The 5.6 km-long road (including a 1km flyover) starts from Murree Road at Malpur and culminates on Murree Road near the Jugi bus stop adjacent to Punjab Cash and Carry in Bhara Kahu from where the flyover begins till the end of the local bazaar towards Murree.

Published in Dawn, January 23th, 2023