A three-kilometer road project to connect the Diplomatic Enclave with its extended area remains unfinished despite being scheduled for completion within six months. This one-and-a-half-year delay has raised concerns about the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) efforts.
The project was initiated in January last year to provide an alternative route to Third Avenue, which was closed for security reasons in front of the Chinese embassy. According to the PC-I, the road was to be completed within six months. The new route begins from Murree Road near Malpur and is planned to end at Third Avenue, bypassing the Chinese embassy. While CDA has laid asphalt on the initial section and the sub-base work at the other end is complete, asphalt has yet to be laid on the rest. Encroachments, including houses, and electricity poles obstructing the route have contributed to the delays.
The road, which initially runs straight and then turns after 1.5 km, is intended to serve as an alternative to the now-closed Third Avenue, providing better access for students and staff of Quaid-e-Azam University and residents of Bari Imam and nearby areas. CDA officials have stated that the new road will help integrate the old and extended Diplomatic Enclaves, accommodating additional embassies and missions.
A CDA official pointed out that while there were delays due to houses in the road’s alignment, most of these have now been removed. The official emphasized the need for CDA to release the required funds to avoid cost escalations.
An officer from the CDA’s engineering wing acknowledged the delays, assuring that efforts are being made to complete the project before the annual Urs of Bari Imam, expected on August 12.
Another official expressed concern over the CDA’s failure to complete a 3 km road in one-and-a-half years, suggesting it should prompt scrutiny from the development agency. The official urged CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, who has been inspecting major road projects such as Park Road and Expressway, to also visit this project to understand the reasons for the delay. The official cautioned that, at the current pace, the road might not be completed within the next six months.
