ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reported that 21 construction companies have expressed interest in the contract for the new road project linking Margalla Avenue with the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1).
An official from the CDA shared that the authority has received 21 applications from construction firms within the given timeframe and is reviewing the profiles of these companies. The next phase will see the shortlisted firms receiving tender documents to submit their bids.
The CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) gave its nod to the Rs5.45 billion project in August, which encompasses both development and land acquisition costs. As per the PC-I, the project, once commenced, is expected to be completed in a span of eight months.
Despite the inauguration of the project by Ex-PM Shehbaz Sharif in July, the CDA has yet to take significant steps towards its commencement. Insiders from the CDA’s land and estate wing revealed that land acquisition is still in the preliminary stages.
The CDA’s working paper highlighted the importance of linking Margalla Avenue to M-1 to maximize its benefits. The proposed six-lane road will serve as an alternative route for those commuting between G.T. Road (N-5) and Islamabad.
The 3.4-kilometer route is divided between Rawalpindi (1.8km) and Islamabad (1.6km). The CDA is responsible for the construction within Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
Earlier this year, the National Highway Authority (NHA) received approval from the federal government to construct the Rawalpindi segment, with funding provided by the latter.
Budgetary documents reveal an allocation of Rs1.5 billion in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2023–24 for this project, which has an overall cost of Rs3 billion.
Back in 2021, then-PM Imran Khan instructed the CDA to oversee the construction within Islamabad, while the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) was to manage the Rawalpindi segment. However, the responsibility was later shifted to the NHA.
The new 5-kilometre stretch from D-12 to E-11 will connect Margalla Avenue, which starts from G.T. Road and ends at D-12. This segment is currently under construction and is slated for completion in the next two months, as per CDA officials.
The CDA’s last major avenue construction was the 9th Avenue, built decades ago. The 10th Avenue’s construction began last year with federal funding, but due to financial constraints, only about 25% of the work has been completed.
Sources within the CDA have indicated that the agency’s financial challenges have led to a reluctance to initiate new development projects.
