CDA Opens Technical Bids for Rs1.4 Billion Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has opened the technical bids for the construction of the Kashmir Chowk underpass, paving the way for another major road infrastructure project in the federal capital.

The underpass, estimated to cost around Rs1.4 billion, will be constructed at Kashmir Chowk on Murree Road, commonly known as Dhokri Chowk, near Islamabad Club.

Under the proposed traffic arrangement, vehicles travelling from the Serena side towards Rawalpindi will use the underpass, while traffic heading towards Murree will use the road over the underpass.

The CDA recently opened technical bids submitted by two construction firms — Habib Construction Services (HCS) and MS Kamran Khan (Kundi Group). During the technical evaluation, Kundi Group was declared non-responsive and subsequently filed a grievance with the CDA.

According to CDA officials, the financial bids cannot be opened until the complaint is decided. The authority is expected to examine the grievance within five days.

If the CDA committee finds the grievance valid, the financial bids of both companies will be opened. Otherwise, the non-responsive bidder will have the option of approaching the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

An official said the matter would be resolved within 15 days in either case.

Both companies have previously undertaken major CDA projects. Kundi Group has completed projects including the IJP service road and Faizabad loop expansion, while other development works carried out by the company are either completed or ongoing.

HCS, meanwhile, has completed several major projects worth billions of rupees over the past two years, including the Serena Interchange, Murree Road underpass, T-Chowk Flyover and Shaheen Chowk underpass.

A CDA engineer dismissed concerns about the grievance affecting the project, describing the process as a routine part of public procurement. He said a company declared disqualified or non-responsive has the right to file a grievance with the CDA and, subsequently, PPRA.

The CDA is also planning another underpass at the junction of Faisal Avenue and Margalla Road. Officials said the PC-I for the proposed project is being finalised and the authority will move towards inviting tenders once the process is completed.

Meanwhile, the CDA has several major road infrastructure projects underway. However, the federally funded 10th Avenue project has remained stalled for more than a year, with around 50% of the work still incomplete despite its original completion target of 2024.