ISLAMABAD: Work on Bhara Kahu bypass project is in full swing with the civic agency striving to complete it at the earliest. But at the same time, motorists have to face traffic jams on a daily basis on Murree Road.

During a visit to the project site on Tuesday, officials told Dawn that around 60pc work had been completed. The bypass road is a pet project of the incumbent federal government, which has directed the CDA to complete it by Feb 10. Though CDA’s contractor, National Logistics Cell (NLC), is working round the clock, it seems the mega project will be completed in March.

Meanwhile, the one kilometre flyover project has become a source of traffic congestion.

“We are cognizant of the traffic issue in the flyover portion, but this is a temporary problem and will be resolved once the project is completed,” said CDA spokesperson Syed Asif Raza Shah, adding 60pc work on the project had already been completed.

Asked why alternative space was not arranged for the smooth flow of traffic in the flyover portion, he said due to the dense construction along the road there was no space available but “we are committed to completing the project as soon as possible”.

Meanwhile, it was noticed that the interchange at the starting point was being given final touches while work was in progress to complete its loops as base work on the road had been completed in a major portion.

Similarly, a bridge to link the bypass road at the university side with Kot Hatyal was also in its final stage as its base work had been completed and 24 girders of bridge constructed. More than 70pc work on all three underpasses was also complete.

“We are hopeful to complete the entire road project by February 10, but the flyover portion is a little bit complicated and could take one extra month for completion. However, we are making all-out efforts to complete the entire project in February,” said an official of the CDA.

Meanwhile, CDA Chairman Mohammad Usman and PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi inspected the project and took a round from the starting point to the end.

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

Published in Dawn, january 4th, 2023