10th Avenue project delayed due to funds shortage, encroachments: Talal Chaudhry tells NA

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jun, 2026) State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the 10th Avenue project, launched in 2021–22 with an estimated cost of Rs12 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), includes an overhead bridge and a dual carriageway connecting IJP Road with Srinagar Highway, and has been delayed due to a shortage of funds.

Responding to a calling attention notice regarding delays and inefficiencies in development projects in Islamabad, including the Lohi Bhair Safari Park and the 10th Avenue project, he said work on one section has reached around 47 percent completion.

He said further progress has been stalled due to a lack of funding, as no allocation was made in the PSDP last year.

The minister added that the project is also facing serious challenges due to encroachments. He said both funding gaps and encroachments must be resolved for the timely completion of the project.

He urged lawmakers from the Federal capital to approach the Prime Minister for the allocation of funds for the project.

Responding to a question from MNA Aliya Kamran on delayed and incomplete development projects despite heavy public spending, he clarified that the Lohi Bhair project falls under the Punjab Forest Department and is not within CDA’s jurisdiction.

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On the Safari Park project, he said a consultant has been appointed and feasibility and technical studies are underway.

He added that other mentioned schemes either fall under Punjab’s authority or are being handled by separate organisations.

The minister said the government is focusing on fully funded and properly designed projects to avoid delays and failures caused by weak planning, funding shortages, and unresolved encroachments. He added that many projects initiated by the current government have been completed on time or even ahead of schedule.

Responding to another question from MNA Shahida Begum regarding the Park Road project, the minister said the ongoing work involves redesigning parts of the road network, including underpasses and overhead bridges, to improve long-term connectivity.

Talal Chaudhry informed the House that the project started in March and is scheduled for completion by August, with the first phase expected to finish in July.

He said traffic management is being monitored regularly, including by traffic police, and he personally supervises the situation on site.

Acknowledging temporary inconvenience for citizens, he said the disruption is short-term and will lead to long-term improvements in travel time and traffic flow, reducing commuting time by up to 30 minutes once completed.

APP/zah-tsw