ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved PC-I for two mega projects in the federal capital worth over Rs8 billion under which underpasses would be built at Serena Chowk on Khayaban-i-Suharwardi and PTCL Chowk – the junction of Jinnah Avenue and 9th Avenue.

The development working party (DWP) in a meeting at the CDA headquarters on Thursday approved a project worth Rs4.56 billion for the construction of underpasses on Srinagar Highway and Khayaban-i-Suharwardi, besides the construction of three loops. According to the PC-I, this project will be completed in six months.

The DWP also approved a project worth Rs3.9 billion to construct an underpass and flyover at the junction of Jinnah Avenue and 9th Avenue near Sector F-8. Both projects will be completed in six months. These two sites are sources of constant traffic jams, particularly during rush hours. The CDA has been making announcements for several years; however, work on these projects could not start.

Recently, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the CDA to start these two projects as soon as possible. The Serena Interchange project was set to begin last year but at the eleventh hour, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (during his first stint) refused to inaugurate it.

Underpasses to be built at Serena Chowk, PTCL Chowk for Rs8 billion

He had sought the credentials of the Railcop which had won the project because of its lowest bid i.e. Rs2.1 billion. Now, the PC-I of the new project is Rs4.5 billion.

About the twofold increase in the cost, a CDA official said that the design of this project was “comprehensive” and different from the previous one.

It may be noted that traffic from different routes, including Constitution Avenue, Khayaban-i-Suharwardi, Club Road (Murree Road), Srinagar Highway, and Ataturk Avenue converge on this intersection (Serana Chowk), leading to congestion during peak hours.

PTCL Chowk

The story of PTCL Chowk is the same as Serena Chowk. During peak hours, commuters have to wait for a long time at the traffic signal, and those whose vehicles do not have air-conditioning fare the worst. “Now, the CDA-DWP has approved the PC-I and within a few weeks we will award tenders of this project to get it completed within six months,” a CDA official claimed.

The officials said that the civic agency had allocated funds for these two projects in the budget for this fiscal year going to be passed by the CDA board in its meeting on Friday (today). The board will also approve the hiring of consultants for these two projects.

Meanwhile, the DWP also approved PC-II to hire a consultant for a tier-four data centre in Islamabad for Rs53 million. According to a working paper, the CDA wants to conduct a feasibility study to establish the first-ever Tier-4 data centre. The CDA board previously approved 16 kanal for the project. The facility aimed to address the growing demand for secure and reliable data storage and management solutions in the region, especially as businesses and government agencies increasingly rely on digital infrastructure.

Similarly, the DWP also approved PC-1 worth Rs98.88 million regarding the Enterprise Resource Planning/Financial Management System. According to the working paper, “ERS is a software for centralised database for financial management, complete check and balance of receipts, expenditure, allocation, budgeting, HR components, and fixed assets of the CDA.”

Meanwhile, the CDA board, which will meet on Friday (today) will approve the financial budget of the civic agency of Rs90 billion for the financial year 2024-25. “The official figure is to be presented before the CDA board on Friday (today). “...the figure is not clear yet, but it is said that our budget for this year will be around Rs100 billion,” said an official in a comment on the budget. The board will also take up 29 agenda items.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2024