The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched plans to upgrade Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre and construct a new block ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for August next year.
The civic agency has invited construction firms to submit pre-qualification proposals for the project, with October 9 set as the deadline for submissions.
The CDA had earlier planned to develop the New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) near Malpur. However, delays in starting the project have prompted the authority to shift its focus to expanding and modernising the existing Jinnah Convention Centre.
Under the new plan, facilities originally proposed for NICEEC will be incorporated into the Jinnah Convention Centre. A CDA source said the authority intends to expand the existing complex while also upgrading its current building.
The CDA had already completed the bidding process for the Malpur project, with the lowest bid submitted at Rs37 billion. The contractor later offered a Rs3 billion concession, but the authority could not begin work within the required timeframe and eventually dropped the plan.
Officials have warned that the revised project faces a tight completion deadline because Islamabad is scheduled to host the SCO summit in August.
According to one official, construction and upgradation work should be completed by mid-July, leaving at least one month before the summit.
The CDA has yet to finalise the project’s total cost. However, sources estimate that the new upgrade and expansion could cost around Rs12 billion.
Islamabad’s Kashmir Chowk underpass work begins
Work on Islamabad’s much-anticipated Kashmir Chowk underpass has begun, with initial construction activity now visible at the busy intersection near Islamabad Club.
Trees along the sides of Kashmir Chowk have been dug up for relocation to another site in Islamabad, while a construction container has also been installed at the site. White markings have been made on the road to indicate the area designated for the underpass.
The development comes as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) moves ahead with the Kashmir Chowk underpass project, estimated to cost around Rs1.4 billion.
The underpass will be constructed on Murree Road, commonly known as Dhokri Chowk. Once completed, traffic travelling from the Serena side towards Rawalpindi will use the underpass, while vehicles heading towards Murree will use the top slab of the underpass.
Kashmir Chowk underpass: What commuters should know
The construction work is expected to affect traffic movement around Kashmir Chowk as the project progresses. However, the CDA has not yet provided a detailed list of alternative routes for commuters.
Office goers and daily commuters travelling through the area are therefore advised to expect possible traffic slowdowns and follow traffic police directions during construction.
Why has work started?
The CDA recently opened the technical bids submitted by two construction firms — Habib Construction Services (HCS) and MS Kamran Khan (Kundi Group).
During the technical evaluation, the CDA declared MS Kamran Kundi non-responsive. The company subsequently filed a grievance with the CDA, meaning the financial bids cannot be opened until the complaint is decided.
A CDA official said the authority would decide the grievance within five days, while the overall matter was expected to be resolved within 15 days.
If the CDA committee finds the grievance valid, financial bids from both companies will be opened. Otherwise, the non-responsive company can approach the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
Officials have clarified that filing a grievance is a routine part of the procurement process and does not, by itself, indicate controversy surrounding the project.
More underpasses planned in Islamabad
The Kashmir Chowk project is not the only underpass planned by the CDA.
The civic authority is also preparing to construct an underpass at the junction of Faisal Avenue and Margalla Road. Officials said the PC-I for the project was being finalised before the tendering process begins.
The CDA is currently working on two major road projects, while the federally funded 10th Avenue project has remained stalled for more than a year, with around half of the work still incomplete.
