Islamabad’s 10th Avenue project has faced prolonged delays because of insufficient funding, leaving partially completed infrastructure vulnerable to deterioration and potentially increasing reconstruction costs, according to a written reply submitted to the National Assembly by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
The project was originally approved at a cost of Rs. 12.14 billion, with a 21-month completion period beginning March 21, 2022. Under the approved project document, it was scheduled to be completed by December 20, 2023. However, the project remains unfinished, while its approved cost has not been revised.
According to the minister’s reply, cumulative expenditure on the project has reached Rs. 4.09 billion. The federal government released a total of Rs. 4.14 billion between fiscal years 2021-22 and 2024-25, but the funding provided during that period was insufficient to ensure completion on schedule.
No funds allocated for 10th Avenue in FY2025-26
The project was not included in the federal government’s budgetary allocations for fiscal year 2025-26, the reply stated, adding that no funds had been allocated since that fiscal year began.
The government released Rs. 2.96 billion in FY2021-22, followed by Rs. 1.63 billion in FY2022-23, Rs. 400 million in FY2023-24 and Rs. 627.09 million in FY2024-25.
Corresponding expenditures stood at Rs. 1.43 billion, Rs. 1.63 billion, Rs. 400 million and Rs. 625.99 million, respectively. The funding shortfall and delays in releasing money during project execution were identified as the primary reasons for the slow progress.
The minister’s response stated that neither the Capital Development Authority (CDA) nor the contractor, National Logistics Cell (NLC), was responsible for the delay.
Instead, the reply attributed the project’s stalled progress mainly to the lack of required funds and delays in their release.
The prolonged suspension of work has left partially completed infrastructure exposed to further deterioration. According to the response, additional reconstruction may be required when construction resumes, potentially adding to the cost borne by the public exchequer.
To accelerate construction and limit further losses, the federal government has been urged to provide adequate funding through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
The reply stated that a funding request of Rs. 8.05 billion had already been submitted to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives through the proper channel.
The project’s completion now depends on the availability of sufficient funds and their timely release, according to the minister’s response.
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