ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced significant progress regarding the proposed construction of an underpass at Kashmir Chowk, a critical traffic junction in the federal capital. The ambitious infrastructure project is estimated to cost approximately Rs1.4 billion, reflecting the authority’s commitment to easing chronic congestion in the city.

Reports indicate that while technical bids for the venture have already been opened, the progression toward financial bidding has been temporarily suspended. This pause follows a formal objection lodged by one of the participating bidders during the evaluation process. As Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has emphasized in recent high-level meetings, addressing urban mobility is a top priority for the capital’s development agenda.

Project Scope and Engineering

The planned underpass will be situated on Murree Road, specifically near the Islamabad Club. The proposed traffic management design dictates that vehicles commuting from the Serena Hotel area towards Rawalpindi will utilize the new underpass, while traffic heading toward Murree will be diverted to the ground-level road constructed above. This grade-separation approach is intended to minimize conflict points and enhance the overall efficiency of the busy junction.

Official documentation for the project, titled “Traffic Management Solution at Kashmir Chowk, Murree Road, Islamabad,” sets a stringent 90-day completion timeline. Funding for the project has been earmarked within the financial year 2026-27 budget.

Bidding Challenges and Regulatory Oversight

Two major firms, Habib Construction Services (HCS) and M/S Kamran Khan (Kundi Group), submitted technical bids. Following an internal review, the Kundi Group was deemed “non-responsive” and subsequently filed an objection. The CDA is currently reviewing this grievance in alignment with standard procurement regulations. Should the authority reject the complaint, the bidder maintains the right to appeal to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

Context and Strategic Development

Kashmir Chowk serves as a pivotal artery connecting routes to Murree, Bhara Kahu, and Rawalpindi. During peak hours, the intersection frequently experiences heavy congestion, necessitating long-term infrastructure interventions. The CDA has been actively exploring various engineering consultancy services throughout this year to optimize traffic flow, mirroring broader efforts to modernize the city’s infrastructure management.

Future Outlook

Once the ongoing procurement dispute is resolved, the CDA will proceed with the opening of financial bids to appoint a contractor. Upon successful mobilization, the project is expected to significantly mitigate traffic bottlenecks around the Islamabad Club and surrounding vicinities. While some earlier reports speculated a project cost of up to Rs1.69 billion, current estimations are settled at Rs1.4 billion as the government continues to streamline its capital development expenditures.