News
Islamabad Kashmir Chowk Underpass Reaches 78% Completion as 30-Day Deadline Approaches
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
3 min read
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed construction progress at Islamabad's Kashmir Chowk Underpass, and officials reported that 78 percent of the construction had been completed in 20 days. The report was published on October 30, 2026. The government is still aiming for completion within the project's original 30-day schedule. The underpass is not yet confirmed complete or open to traffic. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is carrying out the work.
What Remains
The remaining activities include road surfacing, asphalt work, lighting installation and landscaping. The reports we have seen do not say how long each will take or whether any is delayed. The 78 percent figure is the officials' reported progress, and the reports do not say how it is measured.
The Schedule
The 30-day schedule is described as the project's original one, and 20 days have passed. The reports do not give the start date or the date the 30 days end, so we do not state one. Earlier reports gave different counts of the days of work and suggested the underpass could open within about ten days of an earlier visit. We have not reconciled those counts with this one, so the opening date should be taken only from an official notice.
Trees and Landscaping
The minister also announced plans to plant about 6,000 trees around the underpass. The reports do not say where, when or at what cost.
What Is Not Known
The reports do not give the cost, the traffic arrangements for opening or what happens if the schedule slips. Federal oversight of the CDA rests with the Ministry of Interior.
Why This Matters for Property
The project is intended to improve connectivity between Islamabad and Rawalpindi and to ease travel towards Murree and Muzaffarabad. Better road connectivity could benefit nearby residential neighbourhoods and commercial areas by reducing delays. Any impact on property values remains speculative, and the reports do not link the underpass to prices.
What This Means for Commuters and Businesses
Commuters should keep expecting diversions near the junction until an opening is announced. Businesses nearby should plan on the official date and not on the target. The signals to watch are the completion of surfacing and lighting, the official opening date, traffic arrangements on that day and the tree planting.