Islamabad’s Kashmir Chowk Underpass has been completed in a record 28 days and is ready to open for traffic this week, according to Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials. The Rs1.4 billion project is expected to be inaugurated on Thursday or Friday, most likely by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the underpass on October 6. Initially estimated at Rs1.6 billion, the project cost was later reduced to Rs1.4 billion. Construction progressed rapidly under the supervision of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, who made several visits to ensure timely completion.
According to CDA officials, the final asphalt layer, road markings and landscaping were nearing completion, with work expected to finish by Wednesday evening. Around 6,000 trees and plants have also been planted in the surrounding area to improve its appearance.
The Kashmir Chowk intersection previously handled approximately 107,000 vehicles daily, frequently causing traffic congestion, long delays and difficulties for commuters, particularly during peak hours. The newly constructed underpass, along with four slip roads, is designed to improve traffic flow and provide smoother movement in all directions.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the project is part of Islamabad’s broader infrastructure development and modernisation ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference in 2027. He added that the completion of the underpass and the ongoing Islamabad Expressway expansion would significantly reduce travel time between Islamabad and Rawalpindi while benefiting commuters travelling towards Murree and Muzaffarabad.
