PRIME Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking of thirty-five-kilometre Margalla Highway that will also connect the Rawalpindi Ring Road.
The project will be executed in two phases – one starts from GT Road and culminates at D-12 and the second at the edge of Constitution Avenue would move towards Bari Imam and Quaid-i-Azam University side before reaching Satra Meel.
The highway was part of Islamabad’s Master Plan prepared by a Greek firm back in 1960 but unfortunately it could not be constructed regardless of the fact that it will prove to be an alternative to Srinagar highway, facilitating those coming to and from the new Islamabad airport as well as provide an access to the picturesque areas up to Galiyat and even beyond.
There should be no further delay in the project and be completed in the stipulated period.
Given the increase in the population of the federal capital, it has become all the more important to especially focus on the road infrastructure projects in order to effectively deal with the issue of traffic congestion.
Hundreds of thousands of people travel between Rawalpindi and Islamabad on a daily basis. To deal with this bulge, more roads need to be constructed.
Especially Nullah Leh Expressway has become need of the hour.
The project was envisaged by Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and every now and then meetings are held on it, yet there is no significant progress on it.
This project is important not only to address the issue of traffic congestion but also flooding during the monsoon season.
The project must be taken up and completed on a priority basis. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) under the Chairmanship of Aamer Ali Ahmed is doing an excellent work.
Especially the way the landscaping of Srinagar highway has been executed is really commendable.
However, at the same time, there is also need to carry out the repair of the dilapidated roads.
Ditches that have surfaced on different avenues including the Srinagar highway needs to be filled.
