PM directs CDA to come up with plan to start work

Islamabad
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has directed top management of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to come up with a comprehensive plan for start of work on a section of 24-kilometre signal-free corridor from Karal Chowk (Airport Chowk) to Rawat.
During a meeting held recently at the Prime Minister's House, the CDA officials were directed to submit the plan within a period of one month and start work on 12-kilometre section of the project from Karal Chowk to Rawat. The official sources told ‘The News’ that the meeting was attended by CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal and Member Administration and Estate Aamer Ali Ahmed and officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The CDA had already started work on the 24-kilometre signal-free corridor (Zero Point to Rawat) starting from Zero Point to Faizabad. The CDA officials during the meeting apprised the prime minister that work on the first phase of the project would be completed by the end of November with a cost of Rs1.6 billion. At present, construction workers are carrying out excavation work for expansion of the road.
The prime minister directed the officials to finalise the plan for expansion of Islamabad Expressway from Karal Chowk to Rawat where only two lanes on both sides bear bulk of traffic.
The Rs21 billion 24-kilomtre project also involves two overhead bridges at Karal Chowk and in front of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), an interchange at Sector I-8 traffic signal besides seven underpasses for easy access to private housing schemes.
The completion of the mega project besides envisaging smooth flow of traffic on Islamabad Highway would also give a boost to the real estate business and cost of land, particularly along the 24-kilometre corridor.
The signal-free corridor would reduce the travel time between Zero Point and Rawat by 20 to 25 minutes.