ISLAMABAD: Work on a new mega project — construction of a six-lane road in place of the existing service road east of Islamabad Expressway — has started in the capital.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a visit to the site directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to get the project completed on a fast track.

The 8.5km road is being developed from Faizabad to Gulberg Green with a flyover to connect it with the Expressway at Faizabad and an underpass at the junction of Letrar Road and Khanna Bridge.

Sources said the CDA’s planning wing will work to earmark a commercial strip along the service road to develop a new Blue Area type commercial area. They said the civic agency was expecting billions of rupees revenue from the auction of plots in this area.

Minister visits site, directs CDA to complete six-lane road along Expressway from Faizabad to Gulberg Green on fast track

The interior minister visited the project site and reviewed the ongoing development work.

“The Interior Minister directed the authorities to complete the project within a few months instead of the originally planned one-year timeline,” says a press release.

“There will be no compromise on the speed, quality, or transparency,” it said and added that upon completion the project will benefit dozens of residential communities and significantly reduce traffic congestion and pressure on the Islamabad Expressway.

“The project will make travel easier and faster for the residents of both Islamabad and Rawalpindi,” said the minister.

Expressing concern over the condition of the existing service road, Mr Naqvi remarked: “It is deeply disappointing to see the poor state of the old service road. No one would imagine that such a deteriorated road could be part of Islamabad.”

He said the development of every area of Islamabad and the provision of quality public facilities remained the government’s top priorities.

After the bidding process recently, the CDA awarded the work to M/S Leimar after it submitted 13pc below the notice inviting tender cost (NIT). The NIT cost of the project was Rs6 billion. Before starting work, CDA also shifted around 200 graves to other places to clear alignment of the road.

“As per PC-I the project completion time is one year. So frankly speaking if all out efforts are made then this project could be completed in 150 working days. This is a mega project which includes a flyover and underpass. This is not a simple service road but a dual road having six lanes both sides,” said an engineer of CDA. He, however, said that on the direction of the minister maximum efforts would be made to complete the project as soon as possible.

On site, a survey of the road has been completed and currently clearing work is being done before starting proper construction work while utility services are also being shifted.

Sources said the original right of way of the Expressway was 1200 feet and if a commercial area is developed, the right of way of the road will reduce.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026