CDA asked to upgrade road infrastructure, parking areas

Faisal Butt says authority told to formulate comprehensive plan to make Jinnah Avenue signal-free

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been directed to resolve the traffic and parking problems in different areas of the capital, and to find out appropriate ways for expansion and upgrading of roads and roundabouts so that the task is executed with minimum cost.

On the directions of Prime Minister’s Task Force Chairman Faisal Sakhi Butt, the Machinery Pool Organisation (MPO) and the Roads Directorate of the CDA has mobilised machinery for widening of crossings and service roads, and to create new parking spaces by expanding the existing ones.

Faisal Butt said that the roads infrastructure in the capital must be repaired and upgraded to facilitate smooth flow of traffic, especially near and around different commercial centres of the city.

He said that the CDA must also initiate the projects for developing pedestrian underpasses to facilitate the general public; however, these facilities should be state-of-the-art, having commercial areas on both sides to earn revenue for the authority.

He said that provision of the protected U-turns, fish bellies and other such facilities was the need of hour in wake of increasing traffic load in the city.

He said that the task force had already directed the authority for a comprehensive plan to make Jinnah Avenue signal-free, as the hurdles impede business activity.

On the directions of the task force, the CDA has initiated work on the projects.

The work for expansion of different roads and avenues in addition to provision of fish bellies has already commenced to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and avoid accidents.

The CDA has created new parking space in F-10 Markaz by levelling the unused area to resolve the longstanding parking problems.

Similarly, the parking space in Jinnah Super Market has also been expanded.

Faisal Butt said that the condition of roads in sectors I-9 and I-10, as well as the IJ Principal Road, needed improvement.

He said there were increasing complaints of unnecessary speed-breakers, which had been constructed in streets of various sectors. He directed the authorities concerned to construct speed-breakers only where required, and should have a proper design to avoid accidents and damages to vehicles.

The task force chief also directed the formations concerned to come up with a comprehensive plan to resolve parking problems in commercial centres, particularly that of Blue Area.

He said that the private sector should also be taken on board to help build parking plazas in Blue Area and other main markets of the city. He said that after the Jinnah Avenue, the CDA should formulate a programme to make different avenues of Islamabad signal-free and develop interchanges and flyovers wherever necessary. He said that upgrading the road infrastructure was inevitable, particularly for the capital city to bring it at par with the most modern metropolitans of other countries. Faisal Butt said the CDA should also carry out necessary repair and maintenance of roads within the residential areas, as well as carpeting work in markets.