ISLAMABAD: The much-delayed project Park Road expansion and overhauling project is near completion, with the July 14 deadline expected to be met this time.

According to an official handout, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa and his team visited the site on Sunday and directed the construction firm to ensure completion of the project by July 14, saying that “no further delay will be tolerated”.

This project has missed a number of deadlines in the past. It was supposed to be completed in December 2023, but could not be done so. Later, the deadline was extended till May this year, but that too lapsed. June 15 was the new deadline fixed by the incumbent CDA chairman, but the firm failed to meet it as well.

According to CDA officials, last month, Mr Randhawa made a detailed visit of the project and directed the contractor to complete it on emergency basis. Since then significant progress has been made and now the project is near completion, they said.

“This project has seen delays in the past because of various administrative issues, but on the instruction of the incumbent CDA chairman, all issues and hurdles were removed and now the project is heading towards completion on fast track,” said the press release.

It said the chairman also directed adequate sprinkling of water for settling the dust to provide relief to citizens. He also directed that construction work should be carried out 24/7 simultaneously on all sections of the project.

The CDA had awarded the contract of this project in December 2022 to National Logistic Cell (NLC). The project, CDA officials said, faced delay because of the utility services lines.

Before the start of the work, the 7.4km road had two lanes on each side and under this project, one extra lane had been added on either sides and the existing lanes were overhauled to ease traffic flow.

Until, about two decades ago, Park Road was used only by residents of some villages and towns such as Lakhwal, Banigala, Rawal Town, Shahzad Town, Tramri and Chattha Bakhtawar. However, over time, a number of housing societies developed in the said areas besides a number of marquees and educational institutions were also set up along the length of this road, making it a busy artery.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024