CDA has been unable to start work on the 7th Avenue Interchange

Despite the passage of one month after the project’s groundbreaking, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been unable to start work on the 7^th Avenue Interchange.

Last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan broke ground at the Pak-China Centre on the 7th Avenue Interchange and two other projects. After submitting the lowest bid against Frontier Works, Organization, the NLC was awarded the contract (FWO). The project was anticipated to cost Rs1.5 billion by the CDA.

After the requisite processes are fulfilled, letters of acceptance and commencement will be issued to the contractor, National Logistics Cell (NLC), according to a CDA official.

According to the proposal, the interchange would be built at Aabpara at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Srinagar Highway, Khayaban-i-Soharwardi, and Garden Avenue after the post-bid formalities are completed, a CDA official adds. This intersection will feature a cloverleaf with four left and suitable loops and an underpass connecting the two sections of Khayaban-i-Soharwardi.

Post-bid requirements are being completed, according to CDA officials, and the NLC will likely get the letter of continuation this week. Meanwhile, the winning bidder is completing preliminary tasks such as surveying transferring its machinery.

Meanwhile, the CDA is working with the Islamabad police to finalize a traffic diversion plan. Officials stated that once the project is started, it will take 18 months to finish. The interchange was first proposed in 2008 but made no progress until last year when the CDA decided to implement it.

“We are aware of the issue that vehicles are experiencing since this is one of the busiest intersections in the city. As a result, we received approval for the PC-I and granted the contract to NLC. Work on the site will begin in a few weeks, according to a CDA officer. He claims that once done, the initiative will be a massive help to commuters.

The foundation stone for the I.J. was placed by the Prime Minister, Principal Road, and the Sihala flyover. The contractor had mobilized its machinery and begun a joint survey for the Sihala flyover, according to a CDA official. I.J. was expanded and overhauled for this project. In addition, the contractor was building up camp offices on Principal Road, and areas have been identified where he will begin test piling work soon.

According to the official, the post-bid process, which includes surveys, formal bid acceptance, and the issuance of a letter of acceptance, takes one to two months after the bidding process is completed.   They have been unable to begin work on the 7th Avenue Interchange for about a month.

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