A newly constructed section of Islamabad’s Serena Underpass has collapsed following the season’s first heavy monsoon rain, drawing severe criticism toward the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The incident has intensified concerns over the quality and durability of public infrastructure projects in the federal capital.
A viral video circulating on social media shows a large crater on the turning road leading to Srinagar Highway, with a CDA excavator attempting to clear debris and assess the structural damage. The footage, originally posted on X (formerly Twitter), captures the sunken pavement and the chaos it caused.
The Serena Underpass project, a Rs. 4.2 billion initiative completed in just 84 days, was inaugurated earlier this year amid high praise. It includes three underpasses—one on Khayaban-i-Suhrawardi and two on Srinagar Highway. The section that caved in belongs to the latter and was designed to alleviate traffic congestion in Islamabad.
Public reaction has been swift and scathing. Citizens and social media users alike have accused CDA and related government bodies of sacrificing construction quality for speed. Many are calling the collapse a symbol of poor oversight and substandard execution in high-profile development schemes.
While CDA officials have yet to issue a comprehensive explanation, early reports suggest inadequate drainage systems and poor roadbed preparation may be to blame. Repair efforts are currently underway with heavy machinery deployed to stabilize the site and reopen the road to traffic.
