The much-anticipated Bhara Kahu bypass road has been unveiled to the public following its inauguration by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
However, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Serena underpass has been deferred due to concerns raised by the prime minister regarding the selected contractor.
The completion of the Bhara Kahu bypass, a significant project valued at Rs6.5 billion, marks a milestone achieved over a span of nearly 10 months. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed that this project addresses a pressing need, as the prevalent traffic congestion on the existing Murree Road has caused inconvenience for years in the region.
He acknowledged that while this initiative should have been initiated earlier, its realization is a step in the right direction.
Despite not being a commercial or industrial endeavor, the bypass project encountered controversies and legal disputes, particularly stemming from disagreements between the CDA and Quaid-i-Azam University regarding the road’s alignment.
A portion of the bypass road traverses the university premises, which led to alternative land being offered to the university by the CDA. The prime minister highlighted that court proceedings eventually favored the project, overcoming these obstacles that had hindered its progression.
Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the collaboration between CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal and the National Logistic Cell (NLC) in bringing the Bhara Kahu bypass to fruition.
The landscaping of the bypass, which includes the planting of 74,000 trees, received praise from the prime minister, who urged for further environmental initiatives, advocating for the planting of one million plants.
Interestingly, prior to inaugurating the bypass, Prime Minister Shehbaz was set to initiate the groundbreaking ceremony for an underpass near Serena Hotel, along with the widening of a section of Srinagar Highway.