Supreme Court brings Margalla Tunnel Project to an end

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court ordered the Margalla Tunnel Project to be stopped as the status of Margalla Hills National Park is to be maintained, Express News reported on Friday. The court ordered a halt to any construction and digging into the hills. The Supreme Court also asked the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) to form a committee that will conduct a survey regarding the Margalla Hills National Park and prepare a report. The report is to be submitted to the registrar of the Supreme Court within two weeks. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that progress on developmental work is appreciated, but preservation of national and environmental heritage should also be given importance. He further added that if a tunnel is dug through the hills, it will serve as a passageway for heavy goods traffic. The National Highway Authority (NHA) had argued the construction of a tunnel would not harm the spirit of Margalla Hills Park. The government had been considering the construction of a tunnel through the Margalla Hills – connecting Islamabad to Haripur – as a part of Pakistan-China trade corridor. NGOs and other social and environmental organisations claim that going ahead with the tunnel will give rise to environmental and health issues. Following the controversy which surrounded the project, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo motu notice, addressing concerns of various factions.