CDA okay new projects worth Rs8 Billion for Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved two mega projects in the federal capital worth over Rs 8 billion on Thursday. Under the plan, underpasses would be built at Serena Chowk on Khayaban-i-Suharwardy and PTCL Chowk – the junction of Jinnah Avenue and 9th Avenue.

The Development Working Party (DWP) in a meeting approved a project worth Rs4.56 billion for the construction of underpasses on the Srinagar Highway and Khayaban-i-Suharwardy, besides the construction of three loops. According to the details, this project will be completed in six months.

CDA also approved a mega project worth Rs3.9 billion to construct an underpass and flyover at the junction of Jinnah Avenue and 9th Avenue near Sector F-8 to avoid traffic jams, particularly during rush hours.

The decision came following Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s direction to the civic agency to start these two projects as soon as possible. The Serena Interchange project was set to begin last year but at the eleventh hour, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (during his first stint) refused to inaugurate it.

According to the details, the DWP also approved hiring a consultant for a tier-four data center in Islamabad for Rs53 million. According to a working paper, the CDA wants to conduct a feasibility study to establish the first-ever Tier-4 data center. The CDA board previously approved 16 Kanal for the project.

The facility aimed to address the growing demand for secure and reliable data storage and management solutions in the region, especially as businesses and government agencies increasingly rely on digital infrastructure.