Kashmir Chowk Underpass Ready in Record 28 Days
The Kashmir Chowk underpass in Islamabad is almost complete after just 28 days of work. It will be inaugurated on Thursday or Friday, according to the Capital Development Authority.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone of the Rs1.4 billion project on October 6. The CDA says the project will set a new record for completion time once it opens to traffic.
Final work under way at Kashmir Chowk underpass
A CDA engineer said final asphalt, the top layer of the road, was being laid before lane marking. Horticulture work was also receiving final touches. The project was due to be complete by Wednesday evening, the engineer said.
“If the government asks for its inauguration on Thursday it could be done. But there are certain chances that the inauguration will be held on Friday,” the engineer said. CDA officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was likely to inaugurate the project.
The underpass is a major infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving mobility. It also strengthens Islamabad’s road network, according to the CDA.
How traffic will move after opening
After opening, traffic coming from the Faizabad side will pass over the rooftop of the underpass. Traffic from Serena will use the underpass towards the Faizabad side. Four slip roads are also part of the project.
Before construction, the Kashmir Chowk junction handled about 107,000 vehicles. That volume caused frequent congestion, delays and traffic conflicts, particularly during VIP movements and peak hours. The underpass is designed to separate those flows and cut waiting times at one of the capital’s busiest junctions.
During construction, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf visited the site many times. They pressed the construction company and CDA teams for early completion. At the groundbreaking ceremony last month, the CDA chairman told the prime minister the project had been finalised at Rs1.4 billion, reduced from an initial estimate of Rs1.6 billion.
Why the 28-day finish matters for Islamabad
The speed of the finish stands out because road projects in the capital often run for months. A 28-day build, from foundation stone to final asphalt, is unusual for a junction carrying more than 100,000 vehicles a day. For commuters, the gain is practical: less time stuck at Kashmir Chowk and a smoother link between Faizabad and Serena.
The project also fits a wider push in the capital’s road corridor. The same stretch has seen closures and diversions in recent days. Islamabad Closes Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena Road covered the closure of the Rawal Dam Chowk to Serena route until further order for Kashmir Chowk underpass work. That closure pushed traffic onto Garden Avenue, Shakarparian and Srinagar Highway. The underpass opening should ease that pressure.
In addition, the interior minister has linked the project to preparations for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference. He said Islamabad was being developed on modern lines ahead of the event. After the underpass and the ongoing Expressway expansion, travelling distance from Islamabad to Rawalpindi will fall significantly, he added.
What happens next
The next step is the inauguration itself, expected on Thursday or Friday. After that, the test will be traffic flow at peak hours. A junction that handled 107,000 vehicles before construction will show quickly whether the new layout clears the queues.
Meanwhile, commuters should watch for fresh traffic advisories. Diversions linked to the construction phase should end as the underpass opens.
Elsewhere, other cities are planning similar relief. Peshawar to Get Three New Underpasses Under Traffic Master Plan reported a plan for new underpasses and bridges in Peshawar. Islamabad’s 28-day example will likely feature in that debate as a benchmark for speed.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Kashmir Chowk underpass open?
The CDA says it will be inaugurated on Thursday or Friday, with the prime minister likely to perform the inauguration. Final asphalt and lane marking were under way ahead of the opening.
How much did the Kashmir Chowk underpass cost?
The project cost Rs1.4 billion, reduced from an initial estimate of Rs1.6 billion, according to the CDA chairman at the groundbreaking ceremony.
How was the underpass built in 28 days?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone on October 6. The interior minister and the CDA chairman visited the site repeatedly to push the construction company and CDA teams for early completion.
How will traffic move through the underpass?
Traffic from the Faizabad side will pass over the rooftop of the underpass, while traffic from Serena will use the underpass towards the Faizabad side. Four slip roads are also part of the project.
How busy was Kashmir Chowk before construction?
The junction handled about 107,000 vehicles, causing frequent congestion, delays and traffic conflicts, particularly during VIP movements and peak hours.
