CDA Clarifies Integrity of Jinnah Square Interchange, Says Slip Road Issue Resolved

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal)- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has addressed concerns circulating on social media regarding an isolated slip road near the Jinnah Square Interchange. The authority clarified that all major structures of the interchange, including its loops, remain fully intact, structurally sound, and operational. A very small portion of an isolated slip has been readdressed due to water percolation in the nearby vicinity of the Sui gas trenches made for the road crossings. This was a very small point that has been addressed immediately after the heavy rainfall today with concrete by the contractor at his own cost. The prompt rectification falls under the contractor’s mandatory two-year defect liability period, ensuring all works are maintained to the highest quality and standards,

Earlier,

A major infrastructure embarrassment has hit the federal capital as the Rs 4.2 billion Jinnah Square Interchange project, inaugurated just 84 days ago, partially collapsed after recent rainfall. The incident occurred at the Serena Chowk area, where the newly constructed road caved in, causing traffic disruptions and raising serious questions about the quality of construction and use of public funds.

The project, touted as a symbol of rapid development by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was inaugurated with much fanfare earlier this year. However, the first major rainfall has exposed its structural weakness, leading to public outrage and ridicule on social media.

Social media was flooded with anger and sarcasm following the incident. Many users criticized the government’s so-called development narrative.
One post read: “Is this development or disaster? Rs 4.2 billion of taxpayers’ money washed away with the first rain.”

Political analysts suggest that such failures severely damage public trust in the government and expose the nexus between bureaucrats and contractors. Mohsin Naqvi, who has recently claimed credit for various “quick delivery” projects, now finds himself at the center of public criticism and accountability demands.