The Bhara Kahu bypass in Islamabad, eagerly anticipated for a long time, was officially opened by the Prime Minister yesterday. This initiative focuses on facilitating the flow of traffic headed towards Murree, Galyat, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Having a length of 5.4 kilometers with an overhead bridge spanning 1350 meters, the project was successfully finished within a span of 9 months. With a budget exceeding Rs. 6 billion, the bypass has been strategically created to alleviate congestion, providing respite to both daily commuters and tourists.

PM Shahbaz during his speech at the inauguration event portrayed a positive impact of the project stating how it will avert the traffic congestion in Bhara Kahu. He openly recognized the initial challenges faced by the project, including the acquisition of land.

A History Marked by Issues

The history of the Bhara Kahu Bypass project is marred by its subpar quality, execution, and craftsmanship. Just last month, another incident at the construction site put both the Federal Administration and the municipal agency in a difficult position.

A tweet that surfaced recently showcased a video capturing a portion of the construction collapsing onto a car which in turn shattered its windshield and causing damage to its front end. While the occupants and the driver managed to survive with minor injuries, the general public’s anger is directed towards the local authorities, administration, and the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Regrettably, this incident isn’t the project’s inaugural failure. In March 2023, the undertaking experienced a sequence of two significant accidents. The first mishap transpired due to the collapse of the shuttering, while the subsequent incident witnessed an entire section of the bridge crumbling down.

What do you think about opening of Bhara Kahu bypass? Drop your thoughts in the comments section.