Islamabad Property Dealers Compare Park Road Underpass With Rome

Islamabad property dealers have likened the extended construction of the Park Road Underpass to building the ancient city of Rome, pleading for patience from residents while the Capital Development Authority (CDA) works on the delayed project. Margalla Enclave property dealers IBSAM Associates, in a blog post titled “Park Road Underpass Completion Delay — Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day,” acknowledged the residents' frustration due to the ongoing construction.

The company apologized for traffic diversions, congestion, dust, and longer travel times, emphasizing that major infrastructure projects require time and highlighting the eventual benefits of the underpass. The comparison to Rome is unavoidable, as the city is known for its centuries-long development. The project, however, has been delayed beyond the announced deadlines, with the CDA's most recent promise to complete and open the Margalla Enclave underpass by July 30, 2026.

The authority has also faced criticism for Park Road having undergone rehabilitation and widening work before the underpass caused further disruptions. For commuters, the prolonged project has led to congestion, diversions, dust, and longer journeys on a road utilized daily by thousands of Islamabad residents.