Islamabad is set to get two new underpasses, at Kashmir Chowk and Faisal Mosque, after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to begin construction next month. Naqvi announced the projects while chairing a high-level meeting at CDA headquarters on Wednesday, where he reviewed the capital’s ongoing development schemes.
The move targets two of Islamabad’s busiest intersections. Kashmir Chowk sits along one of the city’s main commuter corridors, while the Faisal Mosque junction handles heavy traffic tied to one of Pakistan’s most visited landmarks. Both have long been flagged as chokepoints during peak hours.
What Was Announced
Naqvi directed CDA officials to fast-track construction of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass and the Faisal Mosque Underpass, with work on both expected to start next month. The announcement was part of a broader review of the authority’s development portfolio rather than a standalone project launch, and it came alongside two other significant directives.
The interior minister expressed sharp displeasure over the continued absence of a fully functional Rescue 1122 emergency service in Islamabad, and instructed officials to establish the Capital Emergency Services on an urgent basis. He also ordered work to begin on four new emergency response centers once the necessary legal formalities are completed. Separately, the meeting reviewed proposals aimed at strengthening CDA’s permanent revenue base, reflecting concern over the authority’s financial sustainability as it takes on new infrastructure commitments.
No cost estimates, contractor details, or formal completion timelines for the two underpasses have been released. Those specifics are expected to emerge as CDA moves the projects from planning into execution.
Background: A Difficult Recent Record
The announcement lands against the backdrop of a rocky few months for CDA’s underpass construction elsewhere in the city. The Margalla Enclave underpass on Park Road, part of a Rs. 10 billion infrastructure package serving DHA Margalla Enclave, Park View City, and Bahria Enclave, was expected to open to traffic by July 30, 2026. CDA missed that deadline, and construction was still underway in early August.
That project has drawn sustained public criticism. Temporary diversions around the site have been described by residents as narrow, poorly marked, and difficult to navigate, particularly after rain, and the Islamabad Traffic Police had earlier warned that construction could add 20 to 30 minutes to journeys along the corridor. Some motorists have also been reported driving against traffic flow near the diversions, adding to congestion and safety concerns.
That track record sets the benchmark against which the Kashmir Chowk and Faisal Mosque projects will likely be measured once construction begins.
Why This Matters for Islamabad Commuters
Grade-separated crossings at both locations would reduce the need for vehicles to stop at signals, potentially cutting delays for the large volume of government employees, students, and visitors who pass through these junctions daily. For a city where the road network has struggled to keep pace with vehicle growth, the two projects add to an already active CDA construction pipeline.
At the same time, the Park Road experience raises practical questions for residents near Kashmir Chowk and Faisal Mosque. How CDA manages temporary diversions, signage, and lane markings during construction will likely shape public reaction as much as the underpasses themselves once they open.
Looking Ahead
With construction due to start next month, the coming weeks are expected to bring more detail on funding, contractors, and estimated completion dates for both underpasses. CDA is also expected to face continued pressure to close out the delayed Margalla Enclave underpass on Park Road, which remains incomplete more than a week past its original deadline.
The Interior Ministry has not indicated whether traffic management plans for the new projects will differ from those used on Park Road, a point likely to draw scrutiny from commuters and civic groups as work gets underway.
Leave a Reply