Rs 2.34 billion Zero Point interchange loops open for traffic

The two loops of the much awaited under-construction project of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Zero Point interchange (ZPI), costing Rs 2.34 billion, opened for the traffic on Thursday.
Talking to Business Recorder, a senior CDA officials said that considering the frequent traffic jams in the capital, the CDA had opened the two loops of the under-construction Zero Point interchange (ZPI) to facilitate people through smooth flow of traffic. He said that the project was scheduled to be completed in September 2010 and the Prime Minister of Pakistan was requested to formally inaugurate the project.
Sharing the details of the two loops, the official said that the first loop connected Islamabad Highway with Kashmir Highway (towards Peshawar Morr) and the second, linking Kashmir Highway (from Peshawar Morr side) with Faisal Avenue.
The official said that CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, while doing the soft launch of the loops, directed the CDA Member, Engineering, and other officials to take appropriate steps to ensure smooth flow of traffic, entering or making an exit from Sector G-8, in wake of increase in traffic flow due to opening of the two loops of the interchange.
The Member, Engineering, apprised the CDA Chairman that to deal with the situation, a roundabout had been constructed at Service Road East at the junction of Sector G-8/3 and G-8/4 and opened for traffic.
He informed the CDA Chairman that the existing entry point to Sector G-8 at ZTBL crossing had been closed and shifted about 200 metres ahead, where a new roundabout had been constructed. This would not only provide enough space for free movement of traffic, coming from Kashmir Highway onto Faisal Avenue, but would also help to ease the traffic taking U-turn from Faisal Avenue to enter Sector G-8.
The CDA Chairman advised the concerned officials to make efforts for timely completion of the ZPI project to enable the public to get the benefit as envisaged.
It is worth mentioning here that the ZPI project, since its inception, has remained a controversy. This is one of the mega projects of the CDA. Recently, the Authority has issued a warning to ZPI project contractor Maqbool Associates to complete the work in the stipulated time. According to a source, the warning was issued to the construction company due to slow pace of work.