ISLAMABAD: The much-anticipated Serena underpass construction project in Islamabad has encountered setbacks. Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif halted the project’s commencement a week before his term ended, citing concerns about the chosen contractor.
Insiders revealed that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, who was recently transferred, refrained from endorsing the bid for the Serena underpass. The project also included the expansion of the Srinagar Highway from the 7th Avenue interchange up to Murree Road.
Upon his visit to the site, Mr. Sharif declined to initiate the project, demanding details about the construction firm awarded the contract. Railway Constructions Pakistan (Railcop), a subsidiary of Pakistan Railways, secured the contract with a bid of Rs2.1 billion, notably lower than the Rs3.5 billion bid from the National Logistics Cell (NLC).
The former Prime Minister’s reservations arose when informed that Railcop had been awarded the contract. He even instructed the CDA head to revoke the contract and restart the tendering process. However, upon learning that Railcop is a government-owned entity, he reserved his decision pending a detailed presentation.
Mr. Sharif expressed concerns about the company’s expertise, emphasizing that firms with a track record in road projects should have been prioritized. He admitted unfamiliarity with Railcop, even though the company claimed proficiency in bridge construction.
Additionally, plans are in place to expand the Srinagar Highway from the 7th Avenue Interchange to Serena Chowk by adding two more lanes. The final segment of the highway leading to Murree Road is also slated for renovation. If initiated, the entire project is expected to wrap up in half a year.
It’s worth noting that Railcop had previously secured the T-Chowk flyover contract with a bid of Rs1.78 billion, outbidding NLC’s proposal of over Rs2 billion.
The Serena underpass project is deemed crucial to alleviate traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Although the CDA conceptualized the project years ago, it remained unexecuted.
A CDA official confirmed that the bidding documents remain unsigned. According to regulations, if the documents aren’t signed within 90 days, the bid is automatically nullified.
Given the ongoing disputes, the official expressed skepticism that the new chairman would approve the bid. If unresolved, the bid will lapse after 180 days.
Source: DAWN
