Islamabad's traffic gridlock is set to meet its match. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has greenlit two new underpass projects at Kashmir Chowk and Faisal Masjid, part of a broader push to modernize the capital's road network and emergency services. The announcement came during a high-level review meeting at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters, where officials also faced scrutiny over stalled rescue infrastructure. Main Developments CDA has already floated a tender for the Kashmir Chowk underpass near Islamabad Club, with bids opening on August 12. The project carries an estimated price tag of Rs1.69 billion and is designed to give traffic heading toward Rawal Dam Chowk direct passage beneath the intersection, while vehicles bound for Murree will travel over the structure's roof. A second underpass at the junction of Faisal Avenue and Margalla Road remains in the design phase. Officials confirmed that traffic on Margalla Road may be routed through this tunnel, though final specifications have yet to be locked in. Both projects aim to eliminate bottlenecks at two of the city's busiest crossings. Read also: Balochistan Grants Prison Oversight Powers to Commissioners, DCs Background The infrastructure push extends beyond underpasses. Naqvi also ordered the immediate establishment of four Capital Emergency Services centres, a project first announced in 2008 but stalled for nearly two decades. Despite plot allocations by CDA's planning wing, no construction ever began, leaving sectors G-11, I-14, I-9 and Model Town Humak without dedicated rescue coverage. CDA has already floated tenders for these emergency centres, which will house fire tenders and ambulances once complete. The minister expressed clear displeasure over the absence of a formal Emergency 1122 setup in Islamabad and directed authorities to fast-track all legal requirements. In a related boost, CDA expects to receive 21 new fire tenders as a gift from China this month. Why It Matters These projects address two chronic urban pain points: traffic congestion and emergency response times. A CDA official noted that current response teams struggle to reach outlying sectors in time, a gap the new centres are meant to close. "These centres are needed for the city, and once established, they will greatly help in dealing with emergencies," the official said, adding that response times will improve significantly. Financial sustainability also took center stage. Naqvi stressed the need for a permanent revenue model to make CDA self-reliant, arguing that institutional financial strength is as critical as development work. "Ensure early progress on viable projects to increase revenue," he directed, signaling that future infrastructure spending may hinge on the authority's ability to generate its own income. What's Next The Kashmir Chowk tender opens August 12, setting the stage for construction to begin shortly after. The Expressway Service Road project, which replaces a dilapidated road with a dual carriageway spanning 8.5 kilometres, has been ordered for completion within three months, though officials acknowledge the timeline may slip given the inclusion of an underpass and flyover. Design work continues on the Faisal Masjid underpass, with no firm construction date yet announced. Meanwhile, the four emergency centres await final legal clearances and tender awards. CDA's search for sustainable revenue streams remains an open question, with no specific proposals detailed in the meeting's aftermath.