The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has finalized a construction start date for the long-awaited Kashmir Chowk underpass in Islamabad, with groundbreaking expected to begin after September 27. The project marks the latest addition to the capital’s growing network of signal-free corridors aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion at major intersections.

The Kashmir Chowk underpass Islamabad contract has been awarded to Habib Construction Services (HCS) following a competitive bidding process. HCS submitted a winning bid of Rs. 1.45 billion, coming in below CDA’s own estimated cost of Rs. 1.486 billion for the project — a saving officials have pointed to as evidence of transparent, competitive procurement on major infrastructure works.

Site Preparation Already Underway

According to CDA officials, site clearing and grubbing work has already begun at Kashmir Chowk ahead of the formal groundbreaking, allowing construction crews to move quickly once the project officially launches. Traffic diversions and utility shifting — including relocation of underground cables and pipelines that typically run beneath major intersections — are being planned in coordination with Islamabad traffic police and utility companies to minimize disruption once heavy construction machinery moves in.

Kashmir Chowk is one of the busier intersections in Islamabad, connecting traffic flows between several key sectors of the capital, and commuters have long complained about signal delays and congestion at the site, particularly during peak morning and evening hours. An underpass at this location is expected to significantly cut travel times for thousands of daily commuters once completed.

Timeline and Completion Target

Per the terms of the winning bid, HCS is contractually required to complete the underpass within a 90-day period from the start of construction. However, CDA officials have expressed confidence that the contractor may be able to finish the project in an even shorter window, with internal estimates suggesting completion could be achieved in roughly two months if work proceeds without major delays or weather-related setbacks.

This latest project adds to a string of underpass and flyover initiatives CDA has pursued across Islamabad in recent years as part of a broader push to modernize the capital’s road infrastructure and reduce dependence on traffic signals at high-volume intersections. Officials say further announcements on similar projects at other congested Islamabad intersections are expected in the coming months as the authority continues its infrastructure expansion program.

Residents in nearby sectors have generally welcomed the announcement, though some have raised concerns about construction-related disruptions and noise during the build period. CDA has said it will issue regular traffic advisories once the project moves into its active construction phase, giving commuters advance notice of any lane closures or rerouting near the site.

The Kashmir Chowk project follows a pattern CDA has used successfully at other high-traffic Islamabad intersections, where signal-free underpasses have measurably reduced average commute times once completed. Urban planners say continued investment in this kind of grade-separated infrastructure is essential as the capital’s population and vehicle ownership continue to grow, putting increasing pressure on a road network largely designed decades ago. For now, commuters passing through Kashmir Chowk should expect gradually increasing construction activity in the surrounding area as HCS mobilizes equipment and personnel ahead of the formal start date.

For more on related developments, see our coverage of CDA clearing illegal structures on Islamabad Expressway.