ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated Kashmir Chowk Underpass, which was completed in a record 27 days. He described the speedy completion of the project as a ‘mini miracle.
‘This project has been completed in 27 days. I don’t think any project was ever completed at such speed. I appreciate Interior Minister, Chairman CDA, the contractor and everyone involved in this project for this mini miracle,’ he said afterinauguratingthe underpass.
The prime minister said the 500-metre-long underpass along with a four-kilometre road was completed in a record time. The project also included the planting of thousands of trees andtwo monuments highlighting Kashmir, the prime minister said, adding the project worth Rs1.4 billion was completed with utmost transparency maintained in the award of the contract.
Mr Sharif said the project will ensure smooth traffic flow and its completion was required before the next year’s SCO conference when a large number of foreign dignitaries will visit Islamabad.
He said that the speedy completion of the underpass showed that other initiatives related to the SCO conference will also be completed in the shortest possible time.
Earlier,inhisspeech,InteriorMinister Mohsin Naqvi said that though the project was completed in a record time, no compromise was made on the quality of work. He said the project was executed under the supervision of a third party to ensure quality of work, adding that 6,340 new trees were also planted. Mr Naqvi informed the PM that the next week he would be requested to perform the groundbreaking of Islamabad Cricket Stadium.
The minister said that the incumbentgovernment had enhanced greenery of Islamabad and a report of Suparco will be shared with the prime minister. He said that more trees will be planted and entertainment related projects will also be launched to make the capital city more attractive for residents and visitors alike.
Mr Naqvi said Asia’s largest Safari Park will also be built in Islamabad [in Malpur] and work on the project will be started in January.
‘Before SCO conference, Islamabad will be given a new and different look, he said.
The minister also appreciated the prime minister for helping CDA in getting control of One Constitution Avenue building, adding that when the PM got the eviction halted, he was dejected. But the PM had told him that this matter would be decided on merit. He said that the plot, where twin towers were built, was meant for a five-star hotel and soon an international chain will be engaged for setting up the hotel.
According to the CDA, the underpass is a major infrastructure project aimedat easing traffic congestion, improving mobility and further strengthening Islamabad’s road network.
Now with the opening of the underpass, traffic coming from the Faizabad side will pass through the rooftop of the underpass while traffic from Serena will use the underpass towards the Faizabad side.
During the construction work, the interior minister and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf visited the site many times to push Habib Construction Service and CDA teams for its early completion and finally the project was completed in 27 days.
Earlier, at the groundbreaking ceremony last month, the CDA chairman had informed the prime minister that the project had been finalised at a cost of Rs1.4 billion, reduced from the initial estimated cost of Rs1.6 billion.
CDA said the Kashmir Chowk junction, before construction of the underpass, handled approximately 107,000 vehicles, resulting in frequent traffic congestion, delays and traffic conflicts, particularly during VIP movements and peak hours.