Islamabad’s Rs10 billion Park Road infrastructure project is progressing according to schedule, with the first phase centered around the Margalla Enclave underpass expected to be completed in July, Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Talal Chaudhry informed the Senate.
Responding to a notice moved by Senator Fawzia Arshad regarding concerns over delays in the Park Road underpass project, the minister said work began in March and had remained on track.
“The first phase comprising the underpass would be completed in July, while the remaining portion of the project would be finalized in August,” Talal Chaudhry said.
The project is being executed with the cooperation of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), which are also managing its financial requirements.
Major upgrade for a busy Islamabad corridor
The Rs10 billion scheme includes an underpass, overhead infrastructure, service roads and several kilometers of road network aimed at improving traffic flow and connectivity in the federal capital.
According to the minister, the project will facilitate movement between Park Road, Margalla Avenue and adjoining localities, benefiting residents of both older neighborhoods and newly developed areas.
Park Road has emerged as one of Islamabad’s busiest corridors in recent years as rapid development in the city’s eastern and southern areas, along with expanding housing societies, schools and commercial centers, has increased traffic volumes and congestion during peak hours.
The infrastructure upgrade is expected to provide an uninterrupted route connecting Margalla Enclave and Park View City, while improving accessibility to areas including Banigala, Shahzad Town, Green Avenue, Margalla Orchards and nearby residential communities. The project is also aimed at reducing travel times for residents commuting to central Islamabad.
Residents endure months of difficult commutes
Residents living along the corridor have been facing severe commuting challenges for more than four months as construction work has disrupted traffic flow. Motorists traveling between the southern suburbs and the city center have had to navigate muddy and uneven roads, particularly during periods of rain, resulting in lengthy delays and difficult driving conditions.
The prolonged construction has affected thousands of residents from Margalla Enclave, Park View City and surrounding localities who rely on Park Road as a key route to main Islamabad for work, education and daily activities.
Relief expected for commuters
Talal Chaudhry acknowledged that motorists were facing temporary inconvenience due to ongoing construction work but said the project would deliver long-term benefits.
He said the scheme would help reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times and lower fuel consumption.
For commuters, the underpass represents a key component of efforts to ease bottlenecks on a route that has experienced mounting pressure from Islamabad’s expanding population and urban growth.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide smoother traffic movement between older localities and newly developed sectors, while significantly improving connectivity between southern Islamabad and the city center.
Environmental studies conducted
The minister said environmental impact studies had been carried out before the launch of the project in accordance with procedures followed for major infrastructure schemes in Islamabad. He added that efforts were being made to minimize any impact on green areas.
Describing it as one of the major ongoing development projects in the capital, Talal Chaudhry said the scheme comprises several kilometers of roads along with underpass and overhead infrastructure.
With the underpass scheduled for completion in July and the remaining work targeted for August, Islamabad commuters could soon see relief on a corridor that has come under growing traffic pressure over the past several years.