Islamabad’s Brand New Underpass Gets Damaged After First Monsoon Rain

The newly constructed section of Islamabad’s Serena Underpass has caved in following the season’s first heavy monsoon rains. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), raising questions about the quality of public infrastructure projects in the capital.

A video that quickly went viral on social media shows a massive crater on the turning road leading towards Srinagar Highway, with a CDA digger working to clear debris and assess the damage. The footage, originally posted by a user on X (formerly Twitter), captures the sunken pavement and the chaos caused by the sudden collapse.

The Serena Underpass, a Rs. 4.2 billion project completed in just 84 days, was inaugurated earlier this year with much fanfare. The project included three underpasses: one on Khayaban-i-Suhrawardi and two on Srinagar Highway. The section that caved in is part of the Srinagar Highway underpass, which was touted as a major step towards easing traffic congestion in the city.

Public reaction has been swift and unforgiving. Many netizens have accused the CDA and government officials of prioritizing speed over quality, suggesting that the rush to complete the project led to substandard construction. Social media users have pointed to the collapse as evidence of “shoddy work” and a lack of proper oversight, with some demanding accountability for the failure of such a high-profile and expensive project.

CDA officials have yet to issue a detailed statement on the cause of the collapse. Still, initial reports suggest that poor drainage and inadequate roadbed preparation may have contributed to the failure. Repair work is currently underway, with heavy machinery deployed to stabilize the area and restore traffic flow.