The Capital Development Authority (CDA) launched the Park Road underpass project in January with a six-month completion timeline. However, residents, students, and traders now report that construction is far from over, while dust pollution, damaged diversions, and extended travel times are taking a toll on public health and daily routines.
Residents decry damaged diversion road and lost greenery
Mukkaram Shah, a local resident, described the temporary diversion road as heavily damaged and riddled with potholes. “The diversion road itself needs a diversion,” he said, noting that vehicles are being damaged and travel times have increased. He added that “acres of greenery have been removed, a recently completed road has been dug up again, and there seems to be little consideration for environmental protection or public convenience.”
Health and safety risks from dust and narrow routes
Zenia Sohail, another resident, highlighted the dust problem. “Construction debris and dust are everywhere. Vehicles are being damaged and people are forced to breathe polluted air while sitting in traffic jams for long periods,” she said. She also pointed out that narrow and uneven diversion routes pose safety risks, especially for motorcyclists and schoolchildren.
Students face commuting chaos and academic stress
Students commuting along Park Road report severe delays. Aamir Aslam, a student at Quaid-i-Azam University, said a journey that once took about 15 minutes now often exceeds 40 minutes during peak hours. “Students relying on public transport face significant difficulties reaching classes and examinations on time,” he said. Asma Zoraiz, a student at a private institution, noted that continuous exposure to dust and congestion makes commuting exhausting. “Students already face academic pressures. Spending additional hours in traffic every week only adds to stress and affects productivity,” she said.
Local businesses report sales drop due to reduced accessibility
Small businesses are also feeling the impact. Rehan Habib, who runs a grocery store on Park Road, said customer footfall has declined considerably. “Many customers avoid the area because of congestion, damaged roads and uncertainty regarding access routes. Our sales have been affected,” he said. Roadside vendor Mujeeb Ullah added, “We understand development projects are necessary, but work should be completed within the announced timeframe. Small traders cannot afford prolonged disruptions.”
Alleged lack of mitigation measures
Residents further alleged that contractors are not consistently implementing dust suppression, safe pedestrian access, or proper disposal of construction waste. They called for regular water sprinkling, better signage, and maintenance of diversion routes.
CDA responds: project on schedule, mitigation in place
In response, a CDA spokesperson told APP that the underpass is a major infrastructure project aimed at improving traffic flow. The spokesperson maintained that construction is progressing according to the approved schedule and that temporary inconvenience is unavoidable. According to the CDA, contractors have been directed to comply with environmental and safety requirements, including dust suppression measures, installation of safety signage, and maintenance of diversion routes. “Water sprinklers are being used at the site to control dust, while traffic management arrangements are being reviewed regularly,” the spokesperson said, adding that the authority is monitoring the project and taking public feedback into consideration.
Urgent calls for action
Residents, students, and traders urged the CDA to strengthen environmental compliance, improve traffic management, and expedite project completion to minimise hardships for commuters, nearby communities, and businesses.
