Summary: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Rs1.45 billion Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad on Thursday. Completed in 27 days, the project includes a wider four-kilometre road network, landscaping and two Kashmir-themed monuments. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said 6,340 trees had been planted and outlined further development plans for the capital ahead of the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad, which was completed in 27 days. The project, built at a cost of Rs 1.45 billion, includes a 500-metre-long underpass, a network of roads covering about 4 kilometres, tree plantation and two monuments related to Kashmir.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that this project is not limited to just a 500-meter-long underpass, but also includes the construction of four kilometers of surrounding roads and other development works.
He said that this project will improve the traffic flow between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while citizens going to Murree and Azad Kashmir will also get travel facilities.
Appreciating the completion of the project in 27 days, the Prime Minister said that he does not remember that any major development project has been completed in such a short period before. He appreciated the efforts of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the relevant teams.
Shehbaz Sharif mentioned the eco-friendly measures taken with the project and said that thousands of new saplings have also been planted in the area, while two monuments have been built to highlight the culture and identity of Kashmir.
On this occasion, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that during the construction of the project, a third party and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) monitored the progress. According to him, a total of 6,340 trees have been planted under the project.
Mohsin Naqvi said that the government had resolved to complete the project in the shortest possible time and the relevant institutions worked continuously for this purpose. He also thanked the Prime Minister for his support for development projects for the citizens of Islamabad.
The Interior Minister also said that the federal cabinet has approved the report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) regarding the One Constitution Avenue building in Islamabad. According to him, the management of the building has been handed over to the CDA and efforts will be made to convert it into a five-star hotel in the next few months.
He further said that the government is working on various projects to make Islamabad green and beautiful. In this regard, a plan to build Asia’s largest safari park is also under consideration, for which the services of an international consultant have been hired.
According to Mohsin Naqvi, work on the Islamabad Convention Center is also planned to start in the next 15 days, while preparations are being made to have the Prime Minister inaugurate the Islamabad Stadium.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting will be held in Islamabad next year, in view of which steps are being taken to make the federal capital more beautiful and modern.
He urged government institutions and relevant authorities to continue joint efforts for the development of the country. The Prime Minister said that if Pakistan continues to move forward at the same pace, no power in the world will be able to stop it from developing.
The inauguration of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass is part of the government’s plans to reduce traffic problems in Islamabad and improve connectivity between important highways. However, the long-term effectiveness of the project will also depend on better traffic management, construction quality and effective use of surrounding roads.
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