Web Desk: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday formally inaugurated the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad, praising Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for overseeing the project’s completion in a record 27 days.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister described the pace of construction as extraordinary, saying he had rarely witnessed such rapid execution of a major infrastructure project throughout his political career.
He credited Naqvi and the project team for completing the underpass, adjoining roads and extensive landscaping work within an exceptionally short period.
Addressing officials and attendees, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Kashmir Chowk Underpass had set a remarkable example of efficient infrastructure development.
He expressed astonishment at the speed of construction, noting that the project involved not only the underpass itself but also surrounding road infrastructure and the plantation of numerous trees and ornamental plants.
The prime minister said he had not seen a comparable mega infrastructure project completed so quickly during his political career.
Furthermore, he praised Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership and the efforts of the teams involved in delivering the project within the ambitious timeframe.
Highlighting the project’s financial management, Shehbaz Sharif said the underpass had been completed at a cost lower than its original estimate.
He attributed the achievement partly to a transparent procurement process, under which the construction contract was awarded through an electronic bidding system.
According to the prime minister, the use of e-bidding helped ensure transparency and competitive pricing while maintaining the project’s accelerated construction schedule.
He described the combination of rapid completion, transparent contracting and cost savings as an encouraging example for future public infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the prime minister announced that the government was preparing additional infrastructure and beautification projects in Islamabad ahead of next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.
He said the upcoming initiatives would further improve the capital’s infrastructure and appearance, reflecting the government’s ambition to enhance Islamabad’s facilities for residents and international visitors.
In a lighter moment during his address, Shehbaz Sharif urged Mohsin Naqvi to enhance Islamabad’s beauty through extensive plantation and floral landscaping.
He encouraged the interior minister to decorate the federal capital with colourful flowers, saying their fragrance and beauty should be enjoyed by both Islamabad’s residents and visiting guests.
The prime minister’s remarks underscored the government’s emphasis on combining infrastructure development with environmental improvements and urban beautification.
The inauguration marks the completion of another road infrastructure project in the federal capital, with the government highlighting its rapid execution and reported cost efficiency.
The underpass and associated road improvements are intended to facilitate smoother traffic movement around Kashmir Chowk.
With the project now inaugurated, the prime minister has called for similar efficiency in future development initiatives while placing particular emphasis on transparency, timely completion and improving Islamabad’s urban landscape.
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