Islamabad’s Rs1.3 billion Shaheen Chowk underpass is nearing opening, with design changes aimed at easing daily traffic jams at 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal.
Shaheen Chowk Underpass Nears Opening in Islamabad
After the recent inauguration of the T-Chowk flyover, Islamabad is preparing to open another major road project for traffic. The Shaheen Chowk underpass, located at one of the busiest intersections of the capital, is expected to be inaugurated in the coming days, according to officials associated with the scheme.
The underpass is being built at the junction of 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal, a stretch that regularly faces heavy traffic, long queues and frustrating delays during peak hours.
Once opened, the project is expected to provide a smoother flow of vehicles through this critical junction and reduce bottlenecks that affect commuters travelling between key residential and commercial areas.
Key Design Changes to Boost Traffic Capacity
Earlier this month, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) introduced significant design changes to the Shaheen Chowk project while construction was already under way.
Officials said the authority expanded the scope of the underpass to improve its long-term traffic capacity and performance.
As part of these revisions, the length of the underpass barrel was increased from 56 metres to 85 metres, allowing a longer stretch of free-flow movement for vehicles.
CDA also added an extra lane to the roundabout above the underpass and included two new U-turns, giving motorists more options to enter, exit and change direction without creating additional congestion.
According to a CDA official, all of these modifications have been kept within the 15 percent cost-revision limit allowed under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules, meaning the project remains compliant with procurement regulations while still responding to on-ground traffic needs.
How the Project Aims to Ease Daily Jams
Shaheen Chowk is a key node in Islamabad’s road network, connecting different parts of the city and handling a large volume of cars, public transport and commercial vehicles every day. Before construction started, traffic often piled up at the intersection, particularly during morning and evening rush hours, as vehicles waited at signals or tried to navigate tight turns.
By taking through-traffic underground and redesigning movement at the surface level, the underpass is meant to separate fast-moving flows from local traffic and turning vehicles.
The added lane at the roundabout and the provision of dedicated U-turns are expected to reduce weaving and sudden lane changes, which are common causes of slowdowns and accidents in busy junctions. If the design works as planned, motorists using 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal should experience shorter travel times, fewer long queues and a more predictable commute, especially during peak hours and bad weather conditions when congestion usually gets worse.
Cost, Timeline and Project Oversight
The Shaheen Chowk underpass is a Rs1.3 billion project being executed under the supervision of the Capital Development Authority. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone of the underpass on 24 October, signalling the federal government’s focus on easing traffic pressure in the capital through targeted infrastructure projects. Although the original PC-I had set April as the completion deadline, officials now say that the fast pace of construction has brought the project ahead of schedule and close to opening for traffic. This suggests improved coordination between the contractor, CDA and other stakeholders involved in the work.
CDA has been using regular monitoring visits, progress reviews and technical checks to track quality and timelines. With the underpass now in its final stages, safety inspections, finishing work and road markings are likely to be the main focus before the junction is formally opened to the public.
What Commuters Can Expect Once It Opens
For daily commuters, the opening of the Shaheen Chowk underpass is expected to bring immediate visible relief, especially for those who often get stuck in long lines at 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal. The project should not only reduce congestion at this particular point but also help traffic move more smoothly along connecting corridors.
Local businesses and residents in nearby sectors are also likely to benefit from reduced noise, shorter delays and better access to other parts of the city.
However, experts note that long-term improvement will still depend on careful enforcement of traffic rules, proper lane discipline and responsible driving behaviour from road users. Together with the recently opened T-Chowk flyover and other projects in the pipeline, the Shaheen Chowk underpass forms part of a wider effort to upgrade Islamabad’s road network. If managed well, these investments can support safer, quicker and more comfortable journeys for citizens across the federal capital.
