The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday ordered an immediate stop to the construction of a flyover on Quetta’s Samungli Road, directing authorities to consider more cost-effective solutions, such as an underpass.
The decision came during a hearing on a constitutional petition against the ongoing project. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, questioned the project’s financial viability after being informed that the flyover’s total cost, including land acquisition, would amount to Rs. 4.2 billion.
In response, the court instructed the project director of the Chief Minister’s Quetta development team to suspend construction activities and explore less expensive alternatives.
“The authorities must consider cost-effective alternatives,” the bench remarked, urging officials to re-evaluate the project scope.
The project director was asked if constructing an underpass would be a workable solution. He sought time to carry out a new survey for a proposed east-west underpass. Accepting the request, the court directed him to prepare a cost comparison between the two options—flyover and underpass—highlighting both land acquisition and construction expenses.
The court also stated that no further work on the flyover should continue until a final decision is made. The hearing was adjourned until May 15.