The divisional administration has set June 30 as the new deadline for the completion of the GPO underpass on The Mall, being constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.6 billion.
The ongoing construction has led to severe traffic disruption in Saddar, with motorists forced to use Haider Road as the only main alternative route. Earlier, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed that both the Nawaz Sharif Flyover and GPO underpass be completed by May 31.
However, both projects missed the target, leading to the postponement of the CM’s scheduled visit to Rawalpindi on June 2. A senior Communication and Works Department official said carpeting on one side of the double-barrel underpass has been completed.
The second lane is expected to be ready by Saturday. Construction of service roads on The Mall will begin Sunday and should be finished within a week. The official added that a drainage line has been laid to discharge rainwater into a nullah on Sarwar Road near Punjsarki Chowk.
Sarwar Road, which is being used as an alternate route, was completed on time. Managing both traffic and construction on this busy stretch has proven difficult, the official noted.
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