ISLAMABAD (MNN); The T-Junction flyover on GT Road, inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure smooth traffic flow between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has exposed a major design flaw on its very first day of operation.
Traffic coming from the Islamabad Expressway has no direct access towards Rawalpindi. Instead, commuters are forced to head towards Lahore first and then travel more than one kilometre to take a U-turn to return towards Rawalpindi, causing confusion and delays.
On the opening day, motorists travelling from the expressway to Iqbal Flyover were seen struggling to find a direct route to Rawalpindi, but in vain. Similarly, traffic intending to turn right ended up moving back towards Islamabad, while Rawalpindi-bound vehicles were compelled to take another U-turn near Rawat, recreating the same traffic chaos the project was meant to eliminate.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally inaugurate the Iqbal Chowk Flyover on Thursday. He stated that construction began on September 19 after the prime minister’s visit on September 12 and was completed by December 5, though the inauguration was delayed due to the premier’s engagements.
Naqvi credited the Capital Development Authority and the project team for completing the Rs1.2 billion project in a record 77 days, claiming significant cost savings compared to similar projects elsewhere. He also announced the Vision 2027 development programme under the Interior Ministry, which will include around 130 projects aimed at transforming Islamabad.
Despite official praise and claims that the flyover will serve nearly 100,000 commuters daily, citizens and commuters argue that without correcting the fundamental design flaw, the project risks worsening traffic congestion rather than resolving it.
