Islamabad — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the Shaheen Chowk underpass will start carrying regular traffic from December 31, 2025. This development promises to cut down daily traffic jams at one of the capital’s busiest junctions.
The minister made the announcement after an early morning inspection of the site on Monday. He checked the final carpeting of roads, finishing touches, and plans for greenery around the underpass. Naqvi asked officials to add more trees in the area to make the surroundings look better and help the local environment.
Project Aims to Fix Long-Standing Traffic Problems
The underpass sits at the crossing of 9th Avenue and Khyaban-i-Iqbal (also called Margalla Road). For years, this spot has seen heavy backups, especially during school hours and office commutes. Nearby schools, colleges, universities, government offices, the Federal Secretariat, and the Diplomatic Enclave all depend on this route.
Once open, the underpass will give drivers a signal-free path. Commuters should save time and fuel, and traffic on nearby roads is expected to ease up.
During the visit, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa updated the minister on the latest progress. Structural work is finished, and the focus now is on road surfacing and other final tasks. Senior police officials and CDA engineers joined the inspection.
Naqvi stressed that the underpass will solve a major traffic headache for Islamabad residents. He said it will make daily travel smoother for thousands of people, including students heading to classes.
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Background on the Project
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone on October 24, 2025. The original plan set an April completion date, but work moved faster than expected. The approved cost was Rs 1.3 billion, though changes to the design — including a longer underpass section — raised expenses by about 15%.
Recent checks show over 93-95% of the work done, putting the project ahead of schedule.
