CDA to Construct ‘Alexander Road’ Linking Islamabad with Haripur

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is ready to embark on the construction of the much-anticipated Alexander Road that will connect Islamabad with the Haripur area.

The project is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with the newly built Margalla Avenue on Tuesday.

As per the details, the road derives its name from Alexander Well, a prominent well situated on the boundary between Islamabad and Haripur.

Although the road is commonly referred to as Alexander Road, an official name for it has not been finalized yet.

According to sources, the CDA has made necessary arrangements for the inauguration ceremony, which will include the newly constructed Margalla Avenue and the widening and overhauling of Shah Allah Ditta to Kenthla Road.

The 7.5km road will stretch up to the Kenthla Area, with potential future connections to the Haripur area.

An engineer from the CDA stated that they would construct this road within the jurisdiction of Islamabad, and it will terminate at the Islamabad-Haripur border near Kenthla well.

While, on the other side, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is already working on a road that can be merged with ours to link Islamabad with Haripur.

The Notice Inviting Period (NIT) cost of the road is estimated at approximately Rs. 380 million, and the project is projected to be completed within four months.

Currently, there is a local road serving the local community, but the CDA intends to transform it into a fully widened road through renovation efforts.

The road’s expansion and overhaul will contribute to the promotion of tourism in the area, as the ancient Buddha Caves are located in the Shah Allah Ditta vicinity.

An official emphasized that while widening the road is essential, there should be no compromise on building construction rules.

The official warned that without strict enforcement of CDA bylaws, the existing greenery of Margalla Hills could fall victim to unregulated development.

In addition, it was also highlighted that influential individuals who own land along the road may seek relaxation in construction regulations.

Regarding funding, an officer mentioned that the CDA will undertake the widening and overhaul of the road as part of a rural area development package.

The federal government had previously approved a package of Rs. 10 billion for development work in rural areas.

In the initial phase of this package, development work worth around Rs. 2.7 billion, including the aforementioned road, will be initiated.

As per the further details, the road will be 24 feet wide and constructed following the pattern of an existing road from the zoo to Monal.

Notably, the entire 7.5km road will pass through Zone III of Islamabad within the Margalla Hills area.

The project has not obtained the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Environment Protection Agency (EIA).

However, a senior CDA officer argued that an EIA is not required for this project since it involves the improvement and widening of an existing road.

Source: DAWN