ISLAMABAD, once celebrated for its carefully planned layout and lush green landscapes, is now undergoing rapid infrastructural changes that are causing growing concern among its residents. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched several major projects, such as the F-8 Jinnah flyover, the Serena Chowk underpass, the modifications to the F-10 roundabout, and the 7th Avenue flyover, with the aim of improving con-nectivity and reducing traffic congestion.

While these projects are intended to modernise the city, many fear they are eroding the capital’s aesthetic charm and environmental balance.

Islamabad was designed to blend urban development with nature, but that delicate balance is now under threat. Large-scale expansion of roads, like the Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway, has led to widespread defor- estation, drastically reducing the city’s green cover. The once iconic tree-lined streets are disappearing, replaced by ever-expanding road networks and commercial structures.

The city’s famous green belts, once a defining feature, are shrinking at an alarming rate. Cutting down mature trees does not just ruin the scenery; it has serious environmental consequences.

The reduction in greenery has worsened the urban heat island effect, increased pollution, and has left the residents with fewer shaded areas. Islamabad, once known as a ‘green city,’ is now transforming into just another densely urbanised metropolis.

Instead of solving congestion, some of these projects are making life harder for commuters due to poor planning. Take the 7th Avenue flyover, for example. Many drivers struggle with its poorly designed entry and exit points, leading to more bottlenecks rather than a smoother traffic flow. Similarly, the Serena Chowk underpass has ended up creating new choke points, making daily commutes even more frustrating.

The F-10 roundabout, the E-10 flyover (Iran Avenue) connecting Margalla Avenue, the F-8 flyover, the Serena under- pass and the flyover at Aabpara’s G-7 sector on Srinagar Highway are also poorly designed, lacking appropriate exit and entry points. Simply constructing flyovers without strategic planning does not ease traffic flow. Instead, it creates new pro-blems for the public while also damaging the picturesque and scenic beauty of the capital.

Hastily built flyovers and road expan-sions are also disrupting long-established commuting patterns. Drivers now have to take longer, more complicated routes, leading to increased commute times and frustration.

A lack of proper feasibility studies and meaningful public consultation suggests that these projects are being rolled out reactively rather than as part of a well-thought-out urban development plan.

Undoubtedly, progress is necessary for any city, but it should not come at the cost of its identity and livability. Islamabad’s urban development must be guided by a vision that balances modernisation with sustainability and aesthetics.

Sawai Malhi
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2025