Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has endorsed a new rail car project to run between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, calling it a major initiative that will greatly benefit residents of both cities and surrounding areas. He noted that the railway track is already in place, and once the project is finished, it will provide a crucial transport facility for locals and a great convenience for tourists. The Prime Minister ordered that work on the project begin immediately and assured full support from the federal government.
Federal Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the Prime Minister about the proposed project and their ongoing planning. The Prime Minister described it as a significant public welfare project that would be highly effective.
Groundbreaking of T-Chowk Flyover
Earlier, the Prime Minister performed the groundbreaking of the T-Chowk Flyover Project at the junction of Islamabad Expressway and G.T. Road, hailing it as a landmark initiative for residents of the twin cities. The Rs1.4 billion project is set to be completed in just 150 days.
Prime Minister Sharif praised the work of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, and their teams. He instructed the CDA to complete the project on time without compromising on quality. He also mentioned that Pakistan is set to host the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Islamabad and directed that preparations for the event begin immediately. The Prime Minister also appreciated the horticulture and landscaping experts from Tajikistan for planting approximately 300,000 flower saplings in Islamabad.
Speaking at the event, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that while the expressway widening project had been completed, it was decided to hold the inauguration after the final segment, the T-Chowk flyover, was finished. He confirmed that the project would be built on the existing land, with no new land acquisition required. He also noted that, per the Prime Minister’s instructions, the project would be completed in the shortest possible time without sacrificing quality.
CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa briefed the Prime Minister on the flyover project, stating it is being executed by a joint venture between Habib Construction Service (HCS) and ZKB. According to CDA officials, a second project, the Shaheen Chowk flyover, is also planned for groundbreaking and will be constructed under the same joint venture. Officials also mentioned that the T-Chowk on G.T. Road is the main entry point to Islamabad, with around 100,000 vehicles commuting through it daily. The new flyover is expected to facilitate approximately 25,000 vehicles every day, providing a direct and smooth entry onto the expressway for traffic coming from Lahore.
