Islamabad’s Ambitious Urban Expansion Project: Residential and Commercial Zone planned along Srinagar Highway and Murree Road
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is charting a new course for urban development with the launch of Jinnah Square Downtown, an expansive residential-cum-commercial hub covering 5,400 kanal of prime land along Srinagar Highway and Murree Road. Envisioned as Islamabad’s next iconic business and living district, the project is set to transform the capital’s real estate landscape.
The proposed development will extend from the One Constitution building to near the Bhara Kahu Bypass, nestled between the scenic Rawal Dam and the Margalla Hills—a location that experts deem highly lucrative for long-term investment.
A Modern Hub with Balanced Urban Planning
The CDA has revealed that 40% of the area will be allocated for constructed infrastructure—including plots for hotels, residential apartments, a hospital, and commercial zones—while 60% will be preserved as green spaces, with parks, landscaping, and wide roads making up the remainder.
A CDA deputy director confirmed: “Yes, we have planned Jinnah Square Downtown. Once it is approved by CDA board, the civic agency will get approval from federal government as well before launching it.”
This balanced planning reflects the authority’s commitment to sustainable urban expansion, aimed at maintaining Islamabad’s unique identity as one of the greenest capitals in the world.
Strategic Location and Investment Potential
The downtown will be developed primarily on the left side of Srinagar Highway and Murree Road, facing Bhara Kahu. CDA officials say the authority already owns over 90% of the required land, with only a portion in Malpur under adverse possession.
The new district is anticipated to be a significant revenue generator. CDA officials told Dawn that “if all goes as planned, CDA could generate trillions of rupees in next two decades.”
The name “Jinnah Square Downtown” is inspired by its starting point at Jinnah Square, formerly known as the Serena Interchange. The idea for the development was initiated by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa during visits to the Serena Interchange and Murree Road underpass site, where he noted several large, vacant CDA-owned plots.
Cabinet approval and International expertise awaited
The next steps include formal presentations to the CDA board—a meeting is expected soon—followed by submission of the proposal to the federal cabinet via the Ministry of Interior.
Before executing the project, the CDA will present this case before the federal cabinet through Ministry of Interior for approval. If the cabinet gives its approval, the civic agency will go for international consultants for proper planning and development of this area, according to city sources.
Should the plan be greenlit, global urban planning experts will be brought on board for meticulous execution.
Infrastructure Advancements to support the project
Meanwhile, significant infrastructure work is already underway to support the new downtown area. The Murree Road Underpass, designed to provide a direct link to Srinagar Highway, is progressing rapidly and expected to be completed by the end of May. This will ease traffic congestion and reduce travel times for commuters traveling from Murree and Bhara Kahu.
During a recent late-night inspection, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction: “All available resources should be used to ensure timely completion of the underpass.”
The minister also announced further upgrades to the capital’s road network. He highlighted that the stretch from Jinnah Square to Faizabad Chowk would be developed into a model road, complete with landscaping and decorative lighting.
“Margalla Road will be made signal-free in phases to help reduce traffic pressure, particularly around Shaheen Chowk,” Naqvi stated. The underpass near Shaheen Chowk, one of the busiest intersections, is expected to play a pivotal role in streamlining traffic flow once complete.