The Kashmir Chowk Underpass opened to traffic on Thursday, November 5, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated it, according to Pakistan Observer. CDA built the project in 27 days. For property buyers along Murree Road, Park Road and the Zone IV corridors, the opening raises a fair question: will it change prices? This guide sets out the facts, explains who may benefit and shows why you should not assume a jump.
What Opened
- The project cost about Rs1.4 billion. Samaa puts it at Rs1.45 billion.
- The underpass runs about 500 metres. The scheme also includes roughly four kilometres of surrounding roads, landscaping and two Kashmir-themed monuments.
- Reports say crews planted about 6,000 trees and plants. Samaa gives 6,340.
- The project includes four slip roads, per PakWheels.
- Earlier reports named Habib Construction Services as the contractor and NESPAK’s Lahore team as the designer, based on source reports.
How Traffic Will Move
Kashmir Chowk, also known as Dhokri Chowk, sits on Murree Road near Islamabad Club. PakWheels cites a CDA estimate of about 107,000 vehicles a day at the junction.
Under the traffic plan, vehicles from the Serena side and Faizabad bound for Rawalpindi use the underpass. Vehicles heading toward Murree travel over its roof. In October, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that after this project and the Expressway expansion, travel time between Islamabad and Rawalpindi could fall to about 16 to 18 minutes. That figure is a projection, not a measured result.
Which Areas May Feel the Change
Property sites name the Park Road, Malpur, Bhara Kahu and Simly Dam Road corridors as likely beneficiaries. They also mention societies such as Park View City. These are expectations from marketing and analysis sites, not measured results.
The gain comes from faster access to the city centre. A shorter, more predictable commute matters. But it is only one factor among many.
Will Property Prices Rise?
No data yet shows a price effect. Pin92 makes the point plainly: the underpass does not guarantee a rise in property prices. Keep these points in mind:
- Expectations may already sit in prices. Sellers often cite a project before it opens.
- One junction is one bottleneck. Your commute also depends on the roads before and after it.
- Approvals matter more than access. A plot in an unapproved scheme stays risky, however good the road.
- Prices move with many forces. Taxes, financing and demand all play a part.
So do not pay an “infrastructure premium” without evidence. Ask for recent comparable sales, and compare them with asking prices.
A Warning for Zone IV Buyers
Many societies on these corridors sit in Zone IV, where CDA has been acting against unapproved schemes. On October 26, CDA issued notices to 126 schemes and sealed nine offices. Read our guides to the CDA notices to illegal housing schemes and the earlier CDA sealing notices for Zone IV schemes.
Expect agents to use the underpass in their sales pitch. Treat it as a reason to check, not a reason to hurry.
A Checklist for Buying Near New Infrastructure
- Drive the route at peak hours before you buy. Repeat it after the opening settles in.
- Ask CDA to confirm the scheme’s approved layout plan and NOC in writing.
- Check CDA’s public notices for the scheme’s name.
- Request recent comparable sales, not only asking prices.
- Verify the plot, the seller and the payment records. See how to verify a CDA allotment.
- Budget for tax and transfer costs, using the cost of buying property in Islamabad.
- Pay by bank transfer, and only after verification.
Red Flags
- An advertisement links an unapproved scheme to the underpass.
- The agent promises a fixed price rise.
- The seller pushes you to pay before the “price jump.”
- You cannot find the scheme’s approval on CDA’s records.
Also read how to choose a residential realtor before you hand over money.
One Claim to Watch
At the inauguration, Naqvi said the land linked to the project had been sold for a nominal amount and that CDA has now recovered it, per Samaa. That is a ministerial claim. The reports give no details, so ask CDA for records if you hold property near the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kashmir Chowk Underpass open?
It opened on Thursday, November 5, after the Prime Minister’s inauguration.
How long did construction take?
Reports say 27 days. PakWheels reported 28 days earlier in the week.
How many vehicles use Kashmir Chowk?
A CDA estimate cited by PakWheels puts the figure at about 107,000 vehicles a day.
Will the underpass raise property prices?
No evidence yet shows a price effect. Treat claims of a guaranteed rise with caution.
Which areas benefit?
Property sites name Park Road, Malpur, Bhara Kahu and Simly Dam Road. These are expectations, not measured results.
Next Step
Thinking about a plot or house near Murree Road or Park Road? Bright Homes helps buyers check approvals, prices and documents before they commit. Browse the properties page or contact the team today. This guide is general information, not investment or legal advice.
Related Reading
- CDA Notices to 126 Illegal Housing Schemes
- CDA Sealing Notices for Zone IV Schemes
- Verify a CDA Plot Allotment
- Cost of Buying Property in Islamabad
- CDA Waste Collection in Zones IV and V
