The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is urgently seeking an additional Rs 2 billion grant from the federal government to push forward the long-delayed 10th Avenue project, which has seen only 41% of its first phase completed to date.
Initially launched in 2022 under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the Rs 10.2 billion project was expected to be completed by March 2024. However, funding shortages have led to major delays, forcing the CDA to extend the deadline twice. Officials from the civic body revealed that the project is struggling primarily due to the piecemeal release of funds.
A CDA official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared that during a recent meeting at the Ministry of Interior held just days before Eid, the agency pleaded its case. “Without a timely injection of Rs 2 billion before the end of this fiscal year, we simply won’t be able to finish the first phase, which runs from Karnal Sher Khan Road to H-9,” the official said.
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Despite the scope and importance of the project, only Rs 400 million were allocated for the current fiscal year, of which Rs 260 million have been released. “Even if we receive the remaining Rs 140 million, it won’t be enough to make significant progress,” a CDA director noted.
The 10th Avenue project, a 5km stretch between Katarian Bridge on Karnal Sher Khan Road and the Srinagar Highway near the G-9 and G-10 intersection, is a key element of Islamabad’s master plan. The plan envisions a major avenue between every two sectors, like 7th Avenue (between G-6 and G-7) and 9th Avenue (between G-8 and G-9).
The project was initially started by the previous PTI government, which had allocated over Rs 1 billion in its first year. But subsequent annual allocations have fallen short, with only Rs 3.6 billion received so far. Last year, contractor NLC formally communicated concerns over inconsistent funding and also requested the enforcement of a PEC-approved price adjustment formula.
CDA officials stress that without sufficient funding, the momentum of the project will continue to suffer. An additional Rs 8 billion is still required to bring the project to full completion.