ISLAMABAD: The federal government has granted permission to the National Highway Authority (NHA) to proceed with the construction of a road that will connect Margalla Avenue with the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1) within the limits of Rawalpindi.
The road, spanning a distance of 3.4 km, consists of 1.8 km falling in Rawalpindi and 1.6 km in Islamabad.
According to sources, the NHA will be responsible for constructing the road in the Rawalpindi jurisdiction, while the portion falling within Islamabad will be handled by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
Sources reveal that the federal government recently instructed the NHA to undertake the construction of the road in Rawalpindi.
Besides, it was also decided that the government would provide the necessary funds for the project.
As per budgetary documents, the government has allocated Rs. 1.5 billion in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the Communication Division to facilitate the project, which has an estimated overall cost of Rs. 3 billion. The NHA operates under the Communication Division.
The CDA has already initiated work on the Islamabad portion of the road and had previously hired Engineering Consultancy Services Punjab (ECSP) to design the road.
Furthermore, the Development Working Party (DWP) of the CDA has also approved the PC-I (Project Concept-1) worth Rs. 2.6 billion.
According to CDA officials, the road is essential to maximize the benefits of Margalla Avenue as it will not only connect to the M-1 motorway but also provide a link to the CPEC road.
In 2021, former Prime Minister Imran Khan instructed the CDA to develop the road within the Islamabad limits, while the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) was assigned to handle the portion falling within its jurisdiction.
In addition, Margalla Avenue, which starts from GT Road and extends to D-12, will also be connected to the new section of a 5-km-long road from D-12 to E-11, currently under construction and expected to be completed in a few months.
Meanwhile, the CDA is planning the construction of 11th Avenue from E-11 to Srinagar Highway to alleviate the traffic burden on Margalla Avenue and other roads.
An official stated that with the construction of the link road to M1, it is necessary to initiate the construction of 11th Avenue at the earliest to avoid traffic congestion in E-11.
Source: DAWN
