Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate Islamabad’s new T-Chowk (Iqbal Chowk) Flyover, completed in a record 77 days to ease traffic between Rawalpindi and the federal capital.
Iqbal Chowk Flyover Completed in a Record 77 Days
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to inaugurate the T-Chowk Flyover, also known as the Iqbal Chowk Flyover, marking the completion of one of Islamabad’s fastest-delivered infrastructure projects. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the prime minister first inspected the site on 12 September, after which formal construction began on 19 September and was wrapped up by 5 December.
Naqvi clarified that the opening ceremony was delayed only because of the premier’s busy schedule, and not due to any on-site issues or construction delays. He praised the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the project team for completing the flyover in just 77 days, calling it a record timeframe compared with similar projects executed in other cities.
According to the interior minister, one civil engineer remained stationed at the site throughout the construction period, supervising round-the-clock work. Continuous monitoring and strict time management, he said, were key factors in achieving the ambitious deadline without compromising on basic quality and safety standards.
Relieving Congestion at a Critical Twin Cities Junction
Officials noted that the flyover is located at a key junction between Rawalpindi and Islamabad and is expected to serve close to 100,000 commuters every day. The new structure is designed to ease traffic flowing from Rawalpindi, Rawat and Lahore into the federal capital, reducing long-standing bottlenecks and travel delays at T-Chowk.
Mohsin Naqvi highlighted that Islamabad’s population has grown roughly four times over the last two decades, but its road and civic infrastructure did not expand at the same pace. As a result, major junctions and corridors have been under pressure, especially during peak hours. Projects such as the Iqbal Chowk Flyover are intended to address this gap by separating through-traffic from local traffic and smoothing the flow of vehicles at busy entry points.
The minister also linked the flyover to broader efforts to reduce congestion at other major nodes, including the Faizabad Interchange. Easier movement on these routes is expected to save time and fuel for commuters, cut vehicle emissions and improve overall road safety in the twin cities.
Vision 2027: A Wider Development Blueprint for Islamabad
Beyond the single project, Naqvi unveiled a wider development blueprint titled Vision 2027, to be implemented under the Interior Ministry. He said a detailed public briefing is expected on 1 or 2 January, during which around 130 projects will be announced. These schemes will range from new and improved roads to graveyards, hotels, recreation facilities and other civic developments aimed at upgrading the capital’s infrastructure.
The government, he stressed, wants to both catch up on overdue projects and plan ahead for the next 20 years. Reducing gridlock at major junctions and resolving drinking water shortages are among the top priorities he listed. The Iqbal Chowk Flyover is being presented as an early example of the kind of fast-tracked but cost-conscious projects that Vision 2027 hopes to replicate across the city.
Focus on Quality, Cost Savings and Greener Surroundings
Emphasising “quality, low cost and speed” as the guiding principles for upcoming schemes, Naqvi said the Iqbal Chowk Flyover cost around Rs. 1 billion but was completed with noticeable savings compared with similar flyover projects elsewhere in the country. He added that the same team is now engaged on other schemes, including major hospitals, with further announcements expected soon.
In a late-night visit to the site, the interior minister, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, inspected the construction quality and reviewed arrangements for the inauguration. He also lauded the CDA for planting more than 3,000 trees and shrubs around the flyover to improve the area’s look and environment, aligning the project with broader goals of urban beautification and climate resilience.
What Commuters Can Expect After the Flyover Opens
Once the T-Chowk Flyover becomes operational, daily commuters travelling between Rawalpindi, Rawat, Lahore and Islamabad are expected to experience shorter journey times and fewer bottlenecks, especially during office and school rush hours. By separating major traffic streams and minimising signal stops at the junction, the project aims to create a smoother corridor into the federal capital.
For residents and businesses in surrounding areas, the completion of the flyover should also bring secondary benefits, such as better access to markets, reduced noise from long traffic queues and more predictable travel times for goods and services. Senior officials including CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon have expressed confidence that the new structure will quickly prove its value once it opens to the public.
As the government prepares to roll out Vision 2027, the T-Chowk Flyover will likely be held up as a template for how future projects are planned, executed and delivered—fast, relatively low cost and with a stronger focus on public convenience and environmental upgrades.
