Islamabad is fastening its belt for a major upgrade to its road network as authorities move to begin work on a key highway link between the capital and the Peshawar Motorway (M-1) via Margalla Avenue.
After the completion, this project is expected to significantly cut travel time, ease congestion on existing routes, and improve connectivity for residents living in Islamabad’s peripheral and northern sectors.
The federal government was previously weighing whether to assign the entire project to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), rather than splitting it between agencies as originally planned.
A Joint Effort Between CDA and NHA
Now under the latest plan, a 5+ kilometre-long highway will be constructed to provide a direct and seamless connection from Islamabad to the M-1 Motorway through Margalla Avenue.
The project is being executed as a collaborative effort between two major agencies:
• The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will construct 2.7 kilometres of the route falling within Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
• The National Highway Authority (NHA) will develop the remaining 2.3 kilometres under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), with Rs 6 billion already earmarked for its share.
Besides construction responsibilities, NHA will also bear the land acquisition costs, making it an extremely important partner in the project’s execution.
High-Level Review and Fast-Track Planning
A detailed review meeting was held at the CDA Headquarters, chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The session focused on the progress of major development schemes in the capital, especially:
• The expansion of Margalla Avenue from N-5 (GT Road) to M-1, and
• The construction of an interchange on 17th Avenue at H-16.
Officials briefed the Chairman that:
• The feasibility study for the 17th Avenue interchange has been completed.
• The preliminary design, prepared in collaboration with consultants, is also ready.
• Work is progressing rapidly on the PC-I for CDA’s 2.7 km section of the new highway.
It was agreed that the design would be resubmitted after incorporating recommendations from CDA’s Engineering and Planning wings to ensure technical accuracy and long-term durability.
Approvals in Place, Tenders to Follow
The CDA Chairman highlighted that the PC-I for Margalla Avenue’s extension from N-5 to M-1 within Islamabad’s 2.7 km stretch has already been approved by the CDA-DWP.
Similarly, the NHA Member confirmed that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the PC-I for NHA’s section of the project, clearing a major bureaucratic hurdle.
Chairman Randhawa then directed that the tendering process be completed within the coming week, noting that initial funds for the scheme have already been released. This indicates that the project is now in the execution-ready phase, with physical work expected to begin shortly.
What This Means for Commuters
For daily commuters and residents, especially those living in northern and peripheral areas of Islamabad, this project is expected to be a game-changer. Once completed, the new link will:
• Provide a direct, faster route to the M-1 Motorway without needing to pass through already congested inner-city roads.
• Improve access to GT Road (N-5) and surrounding regions.
• Help distribute traffic load more evenly across the network, reducing pressure on major arteries.
People travelling to and from Peshawar, Attock, Wah, Taxila, and other northern regions are likely to benefit the most, enjoying shorter travel times and smoother journeys.
Transforming Islamabad’s Urban Connectivity
The Chairman emphasized that these schemes are not just about building roads—they are part of a larger vision to modernise Islamabad, improve urban planning, and enhance public convenience.
He instructed all departments to:
• Remove bottlenecks and impediments without delay,
• Ensure that engineering, safety, and environmental standards are fully met, and
• Keep the project on a strict timeline.
Randhawa reiterated that every available resource is being mobilised to convert Islamabad into one of the world’s leading capitals, with infrastructure that should reflect its status as a modern, planned city.
For residents, this means that in the coming years, travel in and out of the capital—especially towards the motorway network should become faster, safer, and far more convenient, turning this highway project into a cornerstone of Islamabad’s next phase of growth.
Read more: CDA to install fence around Margalla Hills to end encroachments
Margalla Avenue currently starts in Sector E-11 and ends at GT Road near Sangjani. Under the proposed extension, the road will be extended to reach the M-1, offering motorists a direct and faster link to the motorway network.
The planned stretch spans 5.2 kilometers — with 2.7 km inside Islamabad’s limits and 2.5 km in Rawalpindi’s jurisdiction.
Two Plans, One Road
As per CDA’s already approved PC-I, worth Rs 3.5 billion, the Islamabad section includes
- A three-lane dual carriageway
- Service roads
- A cloverleaf interchange
- A flyover
- An underpass
- Multiple culverts
- Pedestrian subways
Meanwhile, NHA’s PC-I for the Rawalpindi stretch — costing Rs 4.2 billion — also envisions a three-lane dual carriageway but excludes service roads. It includes one bridge, one flyover, 10 culverts, and several underpasses and cattle creeps.
If the entire scheme is reassigned to CDA, NHA would be expected to transfer its allocated Rs 4.2 billion to the civic body. Both Rawalpindi authorities and NHA would still need to complete land acquisition on their side, while CDA and the Islamabad administration handle acquisitions in the capital.
An official estimated the total construction cost at around Rs 7.7 billion, not including land payments.
CDA officials stress that Margalla Avenue’s full potential can only be realized once it connects to the M-1. The planned link would provide an alternative high-capacity route for commuters traveling between Islamabad and GT Road.