The Capital Development Authority has unveiled a wide-ranging plan to upgrade parking, footpaths, lighting and landscaping across Islamabad’s residential and commercial areas.
Upgrading Infrastructure in Residential and Commercial Areas
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced a comprehensive beautification and upgrade plan for Islamabad’s residential sectors and commercial centres. The initiative is aimed at improving day-to-day convenience for residents and giving the capital a cleaner, more organised look.
The plan was reviewed during a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa. Senior officials from planning, engineering, environment and enforcement wings briefed the chairman on the current state of civic infrastructure and the interventions needed to bring different sectors back to standard.
Under the new drive, CDA teams will focus on repairing worn-out facilities and upgrading public spaces that have been neglected or damaged over time. The authority wants the improvements to be visible not just in high-profile areas, but also in neighbourhood streets and markets used every day by citizens.
Focus on Parking, Footpaths and Cycle Tracks
One of the key elements of the plan is better management of space on the ground. CDA will repair and improve existing parking areas in selected sectors and Markaz zones, aiming to reduce haphazard parking that blocks roads and footpaths.
Damaged and broken footpaths will be renovated to provide safer, more comfortable walking routes for pedestrians, including children, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Properly maintained footpaths are also expected to discourage people from walking on the road, which contributes to traffic congestion and accidents.
The plan also includes constructing dedicated cycle tracks in certain sectors and commercial areas. These tracks are intended to promote cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport, while giving riders a safer, clearly marked space away from fast-moving vehicles.
Better Lighting, Signage and Road Markings
Improving visibility and navigation at night is another priority of the beautification drive. Officials said that broken or non-functional streetlights will be repaired, while additional lights will be installed in dark or under-lit areas.
The authority also plans to enhance overall street lighting quality to make roads, intersections and pedestrian areas safer after sunset. Better lighting can help reduce crime, improve driver visibility and make public spaces more welcoming for families in the evening.
New signage boards will be installed to clearly display sector names, street numbers and directions. Proper lane markings and road paint will be refreshed so that motorists can easily follow traffic rules, find parking and navigate roundabouts and intersections without confusion.
Drainage, Manholes and Green Landscaping
Beyond surface repairs, the CDA plan addresses the underlying civic infrastructure that affects flooding and hygiene. The authority will repair and reconstruct damaged manholes and kerb stones, and carry out improvements to sewerage and drainage systems in both residential and commercial areas.
These measures are aimed at reducing waterlogging during rains and preventing sewage overflows, which can damage roads and pose health risks. Better drainage also helps protect the lifespan of newly repaired footpaths and road surfaces.
On the environmental side, landscaping work will be carried out on greenbelts, intersections and open spaces. Eco-friendly plantation, restoration of flower beds and reorganisation of existing plants will be used to give sectors a neat, visually appealing look while supporting urban biodiversity.
Encroachment Removal and Next Steps for Implementation
Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa has directed officials to finalise detailed designs and adopt a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the beautification projects are executed on time. He emphasised that work should be properly phased so that residents face minimal disruption during construction.
The chairman also instructed enforcement teams to remove encroachments from footpaths, greenbelts and market fronts. This includes unauthorised structures and generators placed outside shops, which block pedestrian movement and disturb the visual layout of commercial areas.
Once fully implemented, the beautification drive is expected to make Islamabad’s sectors more walkable, better lit and more organised, while reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of Pakistan’s most planned urban centres. Residents will be watching closely to see how quickly the announced improvements appear on the ground in their own neighbourhoods.
