ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said Serena Chowk underpass will be completed within the stipulated timeframe of two months while Jinnah Avenue underpass will be completed by December 31.

Sources said the CDA is also planning to hold New year ceremony on Jinnah Avenue underpass if it is completed within the stipulated time.

On Friday, Mr Naqvi was misquoted by an official press release that Serena interchange project would be completed in three months.

However, the interior minister said the CDA had been directed to get the project completed within the 60-day deadline.

An official close to the minister said Mr Naqvi had been personally monitoring both Serena and Jinnah Avenue projects, getting regular updates and was visiting the sites whenever he got the chance.

The official said during his last visit on Friday, the minister had directed the CDA and contractor to ensure completion of the project within the stipulated time of two months to avoid cost escalation, but in the press release, the timeframe was inadvertently mentioned as three months.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa said on the direction of the interior minister work will continue on both projects round the clock.

“We are committed to completing Serena underpasses projects and Jinnah Avenue underpass on time.

“Completion of these two projects in a short period of time will make a new record in Islamabad’s development history,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024