News
Islamabad's Park Road Underpass Opens to Traffic
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
3 min read
The Park Road Underpass, also known as the Margalla Enclave Underpass, has opened to traffic in Islamabad, giving commuters a long awaited alternative to one of the capital's most congested corridors and marking a major development for traffic flow and connectivity in one of the city's busiest areas.
How the Project Unfolded
Construction on the underpass began in late January 2026, with traffic diversions introduced early on to keep the route usable while work progressed, before full scale construction officially got underway in March 2026 and continued over the following months. Officials had earlier told the Senate that the project was expected to be completed by July 2026, with side development works around the facility scheduled to wrap up by August 2026, timelines that slipped somewhat before the underpass ultimately opened this week. The project falls under the broader mandate of the Capital Development Authority, which oversees major road and infrastructure works across the capital.
What Motorists Endured During Construction
The construction period brought real disruption for motorists using Park Road, with congestion frequently adding twenty to thirty minutes to journeys, particularly during morning and evening peak hours. That extended period of delay is part of why the opening carries genuine relief for commuters, rather than simply marking the completion of another infrastructure project among many currently underway across the capital.
What Changes Now That It Is Open
With the underpass now open, this stretch of Park Road should see meaningfully smoother traffic flow, and officials expect reduced travel times for the thousands of commuters who use the route daily. The project has also improved access to several major residential communities in the area, including DHA Margalla Enclave, Park View City, and Bahria Enclave, all of which have seen rapid development in recent years and had contributed to the traffic pressure the underpass is intended to relieve.
Why This Matters for the Surrounding Area
For residents of DHA Margalla Enclave, Park View City, Bahria Enclave, and other communities along the Park Road corridor, the underpass opening is a genuine practical improvement to daily commuting. Easier, faster access to these areas could support continued interest in the residential communities that have grown up around this stretch of the capital, and property buyers or tenants evaluating options in the vicinity now have one less traffic bottleneck to weigh against these locations compared to when construction was still ongoing.