Margalla Road

Margalla Road is the main artery in Islamabad and significantly shares in its master plan. The Margalla Road Project runs in the foothills of Margalla hills and connects Islamabad to G.T. Road and M1 Motorway. Therefore, it provides another entrance to the city and readily connects to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K.P.) and Punjab.

Pakistan People’s Party initiated the Margalla Road Project in 2009 but left it midway due to disputes with the contractors in Capital Development Authority (CDA). However, Prime Minister Imran Khan and the federal cabinet considered the construction of the road as a national security significance and gave a waiver to CDA. Consequently, the government firm was awarded the project, and no competitive bidding took place. Furthermore, according to sources, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) only planned to construct 10km from G.T. Road to D-12 and left the second package up to Satra Meel for the next project. Despite that, the current government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is constructing a 32km long road from Sangjani area G.T. Road to Satra Meel.

Previously, Margalla Avenue would be linked with Murree Road at Bhara Kahu area, while a change in alignment has been decided to overcome the expected traffic congestion. Hence, the Avenue connects with Murree Road after crossing Bara Kahu. The close-by areas include various sectors of Islamabad such as C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, and D-12.

Read: New Housing Schemes in Islamabad 2021

Modified Alignment of Bhara Kahu Bypass Approved

The Army’s Engineer-in-Chief (E&C) department demonstrated to officials of the civic agency at the CDA headquarters on the suggested alignment of the 7.4km Bhara Kahu bypass road. It is part of the Margalla Road Project. Sources said previously an alignment was prepared by the E&C branch -hired by the CDA -but the civic agency disagrees with it as a portion of the alignment is falling in private land near Kot Hatyal. As a result, Amer Ali Ahmed (Chairman CDA), comprising members of the engineering and planning directorates and other officials of the CDA team, presented the revised alignment.

The revised alignment states that the road is constructed on state land at the outset point near Quaid-i-Azam University till Satra Meel. After detailed designing of the project, he said a PC-I would be finalized, and then the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) would start construction work. It is pertinent to note here that Margalla Road, according to the capital’s master plan, starts from Sangjani area/G.T. Road and, after crossing through the foothills of Margalla Hills, finishes on Murree Road near Bhara Kahu.

Margalla Road Phases

Margalla Road Project is divided into two phases. The first phase consists of two packages – one starts from G.T. Road and ends at D-12, and the second at the border of Constitution Avenue it would draw near Bari Imam and QAU side before approaching 17-Meel. In the second phase, the road builds from D-12 to Constitution Avenue, and by that time, the existing Khyaban-i-Iqbal will link both the packages constructed under package one.

Earthwork of 4 kilometers is already completed behind the existing Khayaban-i-Iqbal, which will be connected to the Margalla road. The construction work on phase 1 is under construction starting from G.T. Road sector B-17 to D-12. The earthwork is completed on 6 kilometers. Whereas the alignment for phase 2 has been approved.

Impact on real estate

The advancement made by the PM is great news for the real estate sector. Margalla Avenue will give direct access to the center of Islamabad for traffic. Real estate business will rise dramatically in the capital city. The road connects to many of the latest CDA sectors, including C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, D-13, D-14. It will also increase investment in Islamabad Zone 2 housing societies locating in sectors E-16, E-17, D-17, D-18, and B-17. Completion of the Margalla Avenue project will boost up the present real-estate business in Islamabad.

Due to the construction of the road, investors’ interest is increased.  Inauguration of the road is good news for the investors and real estate agents of Margalla Avenue. The announcement of the construction of an almost 8.5-kilometer-long road patch of Margalla Avenue results in:

• Central points of Islamabad becoming closer
• The structure of an interchange for better access to Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) will attract more buyers.
• Readily accessible conveniences.
• Significant gains by apartments for sales.

Also Read: Faisal Margalla City

Impact on B-17

Sector B-17 distance to major areas of Islamabad is reduced significantly due to CDA’s announcement of an 8.5-kilometer-long road patch of Margalla Avenue. According to sources, the plot prices are experiencing a surge of almost 25%. Additionally, price appreciation is more substantial for Block G plot files, which is already being traded at a profit ranging between PKR 900,000 to PKR 4,500,000 for five marlas, ten marlas, and one kanal,

Conclusion

The construction work has finally resumed after almost a decade, and it is good news for the residents of the twin cities. Margalla road is feasible for the people, and it is also expected that the property price will soar in the coming future.  Estate Land Marketing will keep you updated on the news regarding Margalla Road.