The recent overhaul of Park Road in Islamabad has sparked growing safety concerns among pedestrians, particularly students attending Comsats University and nearby educational institutions.
Despite the road’s expansion and modernization earlier this year, the absence of a pedestrian bridge near the universities has made crossing extremely hazardous due to heavy and fast-moving traffic.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) completed the Rs2 billion Park Road expansion project in January, adding two additional lanes and transforming it into one of the city’s busiest and fastest routes. However, with dozens of schools, colleges, and universities located along the 7.4 km stretch, the lack of pedestrian infrastructure has created a serious safety gap.
The section near Comsats University, Iqra University, Abasyn University, and Park Turk School is considered particularly dangerous, as a large number of students live in nearby Hostel City — a privately owned cluster of hostels accommodating 20,000 to 24,000 students.
“Hostel City is one of the largest student residential areas in Islamabad, surrounded by eight to nine universities,” said Abbas Khan, a student. “Every day, thousands of students cross Park Road to reach their campuses, but without pedestrian bridges or safety measures, it has become extremely risky.”
He added that several accidents have occurred this year, including one in which a female student was seriously injured after being struck by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road.
A Comsats University faculty member also voiced concern, noting that the institution has around 12,000 students, many of whom live across the road. “A pedestrian bridge is urgently needed to prevent further accidents. If installation takes time, at least traffic signals should be installed as a temporary measure,” he said.
Students and residents have criticised the CDA for failing to include pedestrian bridges in the original development plan. “The project was completed months ago, yet only one pedestrian bridge exists — near Rawal Town,” said Muneer Ali, a student living in the area. “The CDA added extra lanes to make it a six-lane road, but ignored basic pedestrian safety. Must we wait for a major tragedy before action is taken?”
A CDA official acknowledged the issue, confirming that plans were underway to install three pedestrian bridges along Park Road, including one near Comsats University.
“We are aware of the situation and will be installing the bridges soon,” the official assured.
Another CDA representative revealed that the authority intends to construct a total of six pedestrian bridges in the capital — three on Park Road, and one each on Srinagar Highway and Islamabad Expressway near Kak Pul — as part of its broader effort to improve pedestrian safety.
Get the latest education news, admissions updates, and scholarship alerts wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.