The inauguration of Zero Point Interchange Project costing Rs 2.33 billion had postponed, Business Recorder learnt. Talking to Business Recorder, sources said the project was supposed to be inaugurated on August 14, as announced by Kamran Lashari, chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA), but due to unknown reasons it has been delayed.
Sources also said this is not for the first time that inauguration of the project had been delayed, as prior to this the CDA chairman at some press conference announced that the ambitious project would be inaugurated on July 15, but it could not take off for one reason or the other.
It is of grave concern that the Zero Point Interchange Project was proposed in 90s, but it could not take off as it should be executed now, causing the cost to escalate from Rs 400 million to Rs 2.33 billion in 2008. "The delay along with the increasing cost of the project have given rise to a number of controversies", sources added. On the other hand, another astonishing thing is that to avoid any unnecessary delays and encourage the contractor, the civic body had also announced a bonus for the contractors.
Sharing the details of the Zero Point Interchange, sources said the contract had been awarded to a Karachi-based construction firm, Maqbool Associate, and the firm had been awarded contract on the basis of projects, including flyovers and interchanges, executed in Karachi. "However, the project has been awarded to Karachi-based construction firm, but no agreement has been signed", sources added.
According to the plan, the project would be executed under two contracts. In the first contract, three major loops of the interchange would be constructed, while in the second, two more loops would be constructed on Shahrah-e-Suharwardy and at Shakarparian.
Under the plan, the contractor would build slip roads and loops in the initial stages of the project to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Sources said the work on slip roads and loops would be completed within six months followed by the construction of underpasses and flyovers. The project would consist of 12 underpasses and flyovers. All roads would be four-lane except for Islamabad Highway, which is being widened to a five-lane road.