The Capital Development Authority has accelerated construction on Islamabad’s first pedestrian-only food street, confirming that the project will be completed by December 31, 2025.
The initiative is part of a wider plan to pedestrianize and upgrade an 800-foot stretch of Jinnah Avenue, turning it into a safe and walkable public space free from traffic.
According to CDA, the food street is being developed on the model of Istanbul’s Istiklal Street and Lahore’s Nizami Street. It will feature 18 to 20 architecturally designed kiosks offering a wide range of local culinary options.
Officials said work is being carried out in multiple shifts to meet the deadline, and the new pedestrian zone is expected to ease congestion, improve safety and boost commercial activity in the Blue Area.
CDA also confirmed that a parking plaza with a capacity for 1,000 vehicles has been completed and will be opened soon. Additional parking locations are being identified across the Blue Area to address concerns raised by traders.
The authority said it is coordinating closely with business owners to reduce inconvenience during construction and after the project is launched.
The authority clarified that it will not directly auction the food street stalls. Instead, a third-party operator will be hired to manage the entire food street under CDA’s guidelines.
The operator will submit a lump sum bid, handle stall auctions and ensure the required services and facilities for vendors and visitors.
CDA will soon issue an advertisement to select the operator. Officials said the pedestrianization project and food street are expected to enhance tourism, improve urban mobility and increase economic activity in the capital’s main commercial district, marking a major step in modernizing Islamabad’s urban landscape.