The CDA Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) approved the construction of a new underpass at the Shaheen Chowk Intersection.
PC-1 of an underpass at the intersection of 9th Avenue with Khayaban-e-Iqbal approved to address traffic congestion issues at Shaheen Chowk. The PC-1 was designed by M/s NESPAK at an estimated cost of Rs 1.899 billion.
The project will eliminate traffic congestion by providing underpass and other ancillary road work. The scope of this project consists of underpass long Khayaban-e-Iqbal for through traffic and roundabout to serve right turning traffic. The proposed project will be completed within six months.
Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhwa presided over the 76th meeting at the CDA Headquarters.
CDA Eases Eligibility Rules to Attract More Bidders for Shaheen Chowk Underpass
In a move aimed at ensuring fair competition and better quality work, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) recently relaxed the eligibility criteria for its much-anticipated Shaheen Chowk underpass project. The decision is expected to open the door for more construction firms to bid on the Rs 1.3 billion project, after initial rules proved too restrictive.
CDA’s tough condition was reviewed
Previously, the CDA had set a tough condition that contractors must have completed work worth Rs 1.5 billion within just 100 days over the past five years. This high bar effectively excluded most local firms, resulting in only one company submitting a bid. That lone proposal was reviewed last Friday but ultimately rejected by the CDA for failing to meet standards.
A senior CDA official explained the logic behind the change: “We realised the experience requirement was too narrow and discouraged healthy competition. Now, companies with similar experience completed over 180 days will also qualify. We want to see more firms competing—it raises the bar for everyone.”
Read more: Designs approved for Kashmir Chowk and Shaheen Chowk underpasses in Islamabad
Revised rules have been issued
The updated tender, reflecting these revised rules, has already been issued. Bidders now have until July 28 to submit their proposals. The CDA will first scrutinise technical bids to ensure quality and capability before opening financial bids to determine the final winner.
This new approach comes after mounting criticism that the original criteria unfairly favored a small, select pool of contractors. “We want transparency and real competition,” the official added, stressing that broader participation would likely improve both price and quality.
Interestingly, the single company that had submitted a bid under the old rules seemed so sure of winning by default that it even began moving equipment to the site last week for preliminary bore testing. But its hopes were dashed when the CDA formally rejected the bid and reopened the process with relaxed terms.
Establishment of Shaheen Chowk Underpass
The Shaheen Chowk underpass will be established at the busy intersection of Khayaban-e-Iqbal and 9th Avenue and has a 180-day completion target. It is considered to be an integral part of Islamabad’s wider push for fast-track infrastructure development—efforts that have produced mixed results.
Past projects like the Jinnah Square (formerly Serena Interchange) suffered drainage flaws, while the F-8 Interchange encountered design criticism despite accelerated schedules.
As the policy has been revised so the CDA is hoping to avoid repeating such mistakes. By encouraging more firms to participate, they aim to select the best team for the job, delivering a high-quality underpass that can truly ease congestion in one of Islamabad’s busiest corridors.
Officials keep on saying that the change reflects a broader commitment to transparency, efficiency, and better urban development planning—ultimately providing benefits to the city’s residents who solely rely on these roads daily.