In a bid to counter the increasing traffic mess on Jinnah Avenue of the city, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to construct fish bellies to make the main avenue signal-free.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the CDA officials here on Monday with its chairman, Engineer Farkhand Iqbal.
The CDA had already constructed two underpasses at China Chowk and Kalsoom Chowk to link sectors G-6 and G-7 to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Planning and engineering wing of the CDA has already worked out a plan which will include the construction of safe u-turns, fish bellies and installation of cat eyes on the road. Under the decision, the CDA engineering wing will submit a detailed design of the project to the CDA board for execution.
“We are set to execute the idea as it has been need of the hour because traffic snarls on the important avenue impede business activity, besides testing nerves of the motorists,” said CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal. He said the plan of the said project had been worked out and it would be launched without any delay.
He said the CDA had already allocated Rs150 million for repair and maintenance of the roads, carpeting in the markets, roundabouts and footpaths in different areas of Islamabad.
He said the CDA would construct fish bellies or install cat eyes to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on Jinnah Avenue and avert any untoward incident.
He said the engineering wing would soon submit a detailed design of the project to the CDA board that would approve it for execution. The CDA chief said a comprehensive plan to resolve parking issue in the Blue Area was also being worked out, though the CDA had already specified a service road for the purpose along Fazl-e-Haq Road.
Besides, the CDA is also convincing private parties to help build parking plazas in Blue Area and other main markets of Islamabad, including Super Market. “The CDA is also mulling over development of various other avenues as signal-free,” said the CDA chief, adding a plan to develop Islamabad Highway as signal-free was already underway as more interchanges and flyovers had been announced at Airport Chowk, Dhoke Kala Khan and Kuri Road. Moreover, Kashmir Highway would also be upgraded on the same lines as an interchange was under consideration at Peshawar More while a project for its widening was already under progress. The CDA chairman said the development of Islamabad’s roads as signal-free was inevitable, particularly, if we desire to bring them at par with those of modern capitals of other countries.
