Islamabad: CDA set to start another mega road project

Muhammad Anis

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all set to start construction work on another mega road project by the third week of next month.

The CDA management on Friday took a major step towards award of contract for expansion and rehabilitation of Kashmir Highway from Peshawar Mor to Golra Mor by short-listing eight construction firms. The short-listing of firms was due, last month but it was delayed due to some unknown reasons.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani only on Thursday inaugurated development work on much awaited Zero Point Interchange to be completed in 18 to 24 months.

In case of Zero Point Change, the authority had short-listed five companies but selected eight out of little over 30 companies who would have asked to submit their final bids.

The CDA sources told ‘The News’ that the cost of expansion and rehabilitation of 11-kilometer long Kashmir Highway from Peshawar Mor to Golra Mor would be about double than the cost of Zero Point Interchange but it would also be completed in two years. The cost of interchange is Rs2.34 billion.

The project would be executed in packages as it also includes at least four existing bridges which would be rehabilitated further to cater for five-lane traffic.

On completion, it would be first ever highway in the country having five lanes on both sides.

Director General Works CDA Abdul Jabbar Malano when contacted said the short-listed companies have been directed to submit their bids within 21 days from Friday.

The companies, which have been short-listed also include those which previously had been working or executed development works in Islamabad. They are M/s Matracon, M/s Habib Rafique and M/s Sachal Construction.

The official said that it would take another 8 to 10 days to go through financial bids and then award the contract.

The federal government has promised to bear 50% of cost of Kashmir Highway project while the civic body is executing interchange from its self-generated budget
Source: The News, 13/9/2008