ISLAMABAD  -  The incumbent management of the Capital Development Authority has saved about 400 million rupees in the development of Jinnah Square — a newly built interchange on formerly known Serena Chowk.

The said funds, which are saved with the prudent decision making and a practical approach taken by the executing team led by Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa will now be diverted towards an additional underpass being constructed at the intersection of Srinagar Highway and Muree Road. The said underpass was not included in the original PC-I but later on it was decided to make it a part of the project as an additional work due to its huge importance. Sources informed that the said underpass is likely to be completed with a cost of about 900 million rupees out of which 400 million rupees would be utilised from the saving of the actual project cost.

The foundation stone of the Jinnah Square project worth Rs4.2 billion was laid by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on November 5, 2024 and it was completed on a rapid pace in 72 days.

As per the engineering contracts, a variation of 15 percent above or below the award amount is permissible for increase or decrease in the scope of work and the amount going to be incurred on new underpass is covered under existing contract.

The Jinnah Square was completed by M/s Habib Construction Services Private Limited and the underpass will also be constructed by the same company and no fresh procurement process will be initiated. 

The underpass will provide a direct link between Murree Road and Srinagar Highway to get maximum benefit from recently inaugurated Jinnah Square.

Without the construction of an underpass on Murree Road to link it with Srinagar Highway, traffic from Murree Road could not enter Srinagar Highway. Without it, the motorists were to go to the Kashmir Chowk (also known as Dhokri Chowk) to move towards Srinagar Highway.

In light of this requirement, the CDA had decided to start constructing this underpass on Murree Road and completed the final design of the underpass.

As per the design, an underpass will be built on Muree Road for traffic coming from Dhokri Chowk while traffic coming from Bhara Kahu would enter on Srinagar Highway from over this underpass.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa during a site visit highlighted that the traffic solution in the shape of the underpass would facilitate commuters traveling from Murree and Kashmir to Islamabad.

He had directed that the proposed underpass at the Srinagar Highway and Murree Road Junction should be integrated with the Serena Chowk Interchange project for enhanced connectivity in the city.

Though the work on site has been commenced and the formal groundbreaking of said underpass was scheduled on Wednesday but it was delayed due to the unavailability of the Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi and now it is expected right after Eid.