ISLAMABAD, November 4, 2026: Islamabad’s Kashmir Chowk Underpass has been completed in just 27 days and is scheduled to open for traffic on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the federal capital’s infrastructure development and the government’s efforts to accelerate public welfare projects.
Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi announced the completion following a late-night inspection of the project, during which he reviewed the finishing work, assessed preparations for its opening and personally appreciated the workers responsible for executing the project within an exceptionally short period.
The authorities have also planted approximately 6,000 trees and plants around the newly constructed underpass as part of a landscaping initiative intended to improve the surrounding environment.
The project’s accelerated completion has drawn attention to the government’s infrastructure delivery approach, particularly the emphasis on close supervision, administrative coordination and round-the-clock construction activity.
Mohsin Naqvi Inspects Underpass Ahead Of Opening
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Kashmir Chowk Underpass late at night to review the final stages of construction and assess arrangements ahead of its scheduled opening on Wednesday.
During the inspection, Naqvi examined the finishing work and interacted with construction workers who had been engaged in completing the project under an accelerated schedule.
The minister praised their dedication, describing their contribution as central to the successful execution of the project.
“You are the real heroes who have completed this project ahead of schedule through tireless efforts, working day and night,” Naqvi told the workers.
His remarks highlighted the contribution of engineers, technical personnel, machinery operators, labourers and other construction teams involved in delivering the underpass.
The inspection also reflected the Interior Minister’s emphasis on personally monitoring infrastructure projects and maintaining direct engagement with teams responsible for their execution.
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From Foundation Stone To Completion In Less Than A Month
The Kashmir Chowk Underpass project was launched in early October, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laying its foundation stone on October 6.
According to the latest announcement, the project has been completed within 27 days, an unusually compressed construction period for a major urban road infrastructure scheme.
The development involved the construction of a grade-separated traffic facility designed to improve vehicle movement through an important junction in Islamabad.
Underpass construction typically requires several stages, including excavation, structural development, drainage arrangements, road surfacing, safety installations and finishing work.
Completing these activities within a short timeframe requires extensive coordination among engineering teams, contractors, civic authorities and machinery operators.
The project was reportedly around 85 per cent complete by October 31, indicating that construction activity had progressed rapidly during the preceding weeks.
However, detailed independent information concerning the project’s structural specifications, testing procedures and final completion certification has not been made available in the latest announcement.
Rs1.4 Billion Project Reflects Accelerated Infrastructure Investment
The Kashmir Chowk Underpass has reportedly been developed at an estimated cost of Rs1.4 billion, compared with an earlier estimate of approximately Rs1.6 billion.
If confirmed through final project accounts, the difference would represent a reduction of around Rs200 million, or 12.5 per cent, against the initial estimate.
The reported reduction is significant in the context of public infrastructure spending, where cost overruns and delays have frequently complicated project execution.
However, a definitive assessment of the project’s financial performance would require disclosure of the final expenditure, contractual arrangements, approved scope of work and any subsequent liabilities.
The completion of construction within the announced timeframe nevertheless represents an important operational milestone for the authorities responsible for the project.
Underpass Expected To Ease Pressure On Busy Islamabad Junction
Kashmir Chowk is an important traffic junction in Islamabad, serving motorists travelling through the surrounding road network.
According to previously reported figures attributed to the Capital Development Authority, the junction handles approximately 107,000 vehicles, highlighting the importance of improving traffic movement in the area.
The underpass is intended to reduce traffic conflicts, improve vehicle circulation and minimise delays experienced by motorists passing through the junction.
Grade-separated road infrastructure allows traffic streams to move at different levels, potentially reducing the interruptions associated with conventional intersections.
For Islamabad, where growing traffic volumes have increased pressure on major roads, such interventions are intended to improve commuting conditions and the efficiency of the existing transport network.
However, the actual benefits will depend on the effectiveness of the new traffic arrangements, including entry and exit points, adjoining intersections and the capacity of connecting roads.
Traffic conditions after the opening will provide a clearer indication of the project’s impact on congestion and travel times.
6,000 Trees And Plants Added To Surrounding Area
Alongside the construction of the underpass, the authorities have undertaken a landscaping initiative involving the plantation of approximately 6,000 trees and plants around the project.
The initiative is intended to improve the appearance of the surrounding roads and contribute to Islamabad’s urban greenery.
Urban plantation can provide environmental benefits, including shade, dust reduction and improvements to the streetscape.
However, the long-term environmental contribution of the initiative will depend on the survival of the newly planted vegetation, regular irrigation and appropriate maintenance.
The authorities have not yet disclosed the species planted, their expected survival rates or the maintenance arrangements for the landscaping programme.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Hands-On Monitoring Approach
The completion of Kashmir Chowk Underpass has also highlighted Mohsin Naqvi’s approach to monitoring major infrastructure projects through frequent site inspections and direct engagement with construction teams.
The Interior Minister has placed particular emphasis on accelerating the execution of development schemes, reducing administrative delays and ensuring that projects intended for public use are delivered within announced timelines.
His late-night visit to Kashmir Chowk followed this pattern of direct supervision, with attention focused on finishing work and preparations for opening the facility to traffic.
By publicly recognising the contribution of workers, Naqvi also drew attention to the labour and technical expertise required to deliver infrastructure under demanding schedules.
The minister’s acknowledgement of the workforce was a notable feature of the inspection, particularly given the accelerated nature of the construction programme.
Can Rapid Project Execution Become A Broader Model?
The reported completion of Kashmir Chowk Underpass in 27 days raises an important question about whether similar approaches can improve the delivery of public infrastructure projects elsewhere in Pakistan.
Development schemes across the country frequently face delays associated with administrative procedures, procurement processes, utility relocation, contractor performance, funding constraints and coordination among government departments.
The Kashmir Chowk project demonstrates how concentrated administrative attention and construction resources can potentially accelerate execution.
Nevertheless, the speed of construction should be assessed alongside other essential indicators, including structural safety, engineering quality, procurement transparency, cost efficiency and long-term maintenance.
Rapid completion can deliver immediate public benefits, but infrastructure projects must also withstand sustained traffic loads, seasonal weather conditions and the demands of long-term operation.
The broader significance of the Kashmir Chowk project will therefore depend on whether the accelerated construction approach can be replicated without compromising quality, transparency or financial accountability.
Wednesday Opening Marks Important Milestone For Capital
With the Kashmir Chowk Underpass scheduled to open for traffic on Wednesday, November 4, attention will shift from construction activity to the operational performance of the new facility.
The opening is expected to provide motorists with an improved route through the junction and contribute to efforts aimed at reducing congestion in the federal capital.
For the government, the project represents a high-profile example of accelerated infrastructure delivery.
For commuters, the most important measure of success will be whether the underpass reduces delays, improves road safety and provides a reliable transport connection.
The project’s reported completion within 27 days, alongside the plantation of 6,000 trees and plants, marks a notable development in Islamabad’s ongoing infrastructure improvements.
While the construction timeline has attracted attention, the lasting achievement will be determined by the underpass’s ability to deliver safer, smoother and more efficient traffic movement for the thousands of motorists using the junction.