Snail-paced construction work could delay the completion of the Mareer Chowk Railway Tunnel project, as utility services had not been shifted yet and the amended design of the project had not been approved by Lahore Railway Headquarters.
Sources said that in view of the current pace of work on the project, it would be completed in February 2013. The Railway had completed a diversion line, while other tracks were being removed.
Sources in Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) said that the construction work could not be accelerated until 16 feeders of 11KV electricity lines, installed within the wall of the bridge, were not shifted. Maintaining a smooth flow of railway traffic and construction was the other reason behind the delay as there was no alternate passage, the sources added.
When contacted, Railways officials said that they had completed a diversion of tracks, though the final design of the project was waiting approval by the authorities in Railway Headquarters.