Islamabad to get a double Road to Pir Sohawa

In an effort to address traffic congestion and minimize environmental impact, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is contemplating the expansion of Pir Sohawa Road, which connects Margalla Hills National Park, the federal capital, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. This expansion would also provide an alternative route to Bari Imam.

During a meeting chaired by MNA Nuzhat Pathan, Chairman of CDA, Captain (r) Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination that the increasing traffic on Pir Sohawa Road has become a nuisance for the Capital Territory Administration. He emphasized the need for action as the traffic congestion on holidays poses risks to the environment and wildlife due to high vehicle emissions.

Additionally, the CDA is working on a PC-1 plan to establish a welcome and information center in the national park along Pir Sohawa Road. Mengal mentioned that surveys are underway to expand the existing road into a double road and explore an alternate route to Pir Sohawa.

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Mengal also informed the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) that the CDA has recently fenced the national park for the first time in 70 years. Furthermore, efforts have been made to reduce plastic pollution by constructing benches, gazebos, and dustbins in the federal capital using reusable plastics.

Although this plan has faced criticism in the past, including objections raised by Pakistan’s climate change minister Sherry Rehman, the CDA appears determined to proceed with the construction of the expanded road once it receives approval.