CDA is moving ahead with three major Islamabad road projects—Expressway Service Road (East) rehab, Kashmir Chowk underpass, and 11th Avenue—along with EIAs and wider city upgrades.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to launch three major road projects in Islamabad: rehabilitation of the Islamabad Expressway Service Road (East), construction of an underpass at Kashmir Chowk, and development of 11th Avenue. Officials say consultant bids for the service road and Kashmir Chowk projects are being received, while bids for the 11th Avenue consultancy are scheduled separately. Once consultants are selected, they will prepare the design and PC‑I documents before CDA invites financial bids for construction. The projects were discussed at a CDA headquarters meeting chaired by Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who directed officials to complete work on time and made Environmental Impact Assessments mandatory for all development projects.
Three Key Projects: Service Road (East), Kashmir Chowk Underpass, 11th Avenue
CDA’s first priority is the complete rehabilitation of the Islamabad Expressway Service Road (East). The service road runs roughly 9 to 9.5 kilometres from Faizabad to the Gulberg Greens stop along the Islamabad Expressway. Officials say the road currently has numerous potholes, creating problems for commuters travelling between Faizabad and Koral.
The second project is an underpass at Kashmir Chowk, also known as Dhokri Chowk, near Islamabad Club. The third is the 11th Avenue project, a key road dividing sectors G‑11 and G‑12. Together, these works target some of Islamabad’s high‑pressure traffic points, where delays and poor road condition can increase travel time and vehicle wear.
Consultants, PC‑I, and the Expected Tender Timeline
According to CDA officials, bids from consultants will be collected first, and the selected consultants will prepare design work and PC‑I documents. This step is important because PC‑I forms the basis for project approval, budgeting, and tendering.
A CDA official said consultants are expected to complete their work within six to eight weeks. After that, CDA will call financial bids and may begin the tendering process within about two months. For residents, the key issue will be whether this timeline holds, because delays at the consultant and approval stage often push construction into later seasons and extend disruption.
Chairman’s Directions: No Delays and Mandatory EIAs
Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa instructed officials to ensure timely completion and warned that delays would not be tolerated. He also ordered mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for all development projects.
EIAs matter because road projects can affect drainage patterns, tree cover, noise levels, and traffic diversion plans. A proper assessment helps reduce risks such as waterlogging, poor stormwater handling, and unnecessary damage to green belts. It also improves accountability by documenting mitigation steps before construction begins.
Other Upgrades: Atatürk Avenue, Margalla Extension, and City Beautification
Alongside the three mega projects, officials also reviewed plans to widen Atatürk Avenue and discussed landscaping, decorative lights, digital boards, and a cycle track along the avenue. These additions suggest CDA is combining mobility improvements with city beautification and safer non‑car options.
The meeting also reviewed the extension of Margalla Avenue from N‑5 to M‑1 within the Islamabad Capital Territory. This project will include one loop and two underpasses, and CDA says the tendering process is nearing completion. Overall, CDA officials say these initiatives are intended to improve road infrastructure and provide better facilities for residents. For the public, the next practical signals will be traffic management plans during construction and clear timelines so daily commuting disruption is minimized.
