Islamabad: The Islamabad Expressway project, which has already missed two previous deadlines, now faces a new, tighter deadline, as reported on July 7.
According to the details, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa has instructed the responsible department to complete the project by August 14, moving the deadline up from September 30. During a recent site visit, the CDA chairman urged the contractor to expedite the work to ensure the Expressway can become a signal-free corridor in time for its inauguration on August 14. Emphasizing the need for high-quality work, he noted that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had tasked him with overseeing the project. Initially, the project was set to be completed by March 2024, but this deadline was extended to September 30. However, with significant progress reported in recent months, the chairman is confident the new August 14 deadline can be met. According to CDA officials, several bridges within the project are already complete, and the railway bridge is 90% finished. The Binder Bridge is still under construction but is progressing steadily.
Officials believe that the rapid progress makes the new deadline feasible. The Expressway, a vital route for both light and heavy traffic between Islamabad and Lahore, has been plagued by daily congestion due to ongoing construction.
In September 2022, the CDA awarded a Rs10.9 billion contract to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for the rehabilitation and expansion of a seven-kilometer stretch from the PWD Interchange to G.T. Road in Rawat. Currently, the road has only two lanes in each direction, causing regular traffic bottlenecks.
