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The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched an ambitious new public art project in Islamabad with the installation of a dramatic landmark sculpture along Margalla Avenue, a key arterial road linking northern sectors of the capital to the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.
The installation, currently under construction, features two towering golden hands mounted on a solid concrete pedestal, each holding a globe-shaped metallic sphere. These spheres are designed to illuminate from within, creating a striking visual display that will glow after sunset, enhancing the nighttime skyline for motorists entering the city.
A New Visual Gateway to the Capital
The sculpture aims to serve not just as an artistic statement but as a symbolic gateway into Islamabad. Once completed, it will stand several feet tall and offer a bold visual cue to travelers arriving via the rapidly developing Margalla Avenue.
The project recently reached a key milestone as a large crane lowered the metallic globes into place, with crews working around the clock to prepare the base for final finishing. Workers have wrapped the structure in protective sheeting while they complete detailing work on the pedestal and lighting systems.
Margalla Avenue: From Roadway to Civic Corridor
Since its opening, Margalla Avenue has become more than just a bypass—it’s evolving into a showcase corridor for Islamabad’s infrastructure vision. The road connects sectors in the northern part of the capital to the GT Road, reducing travel times and easing congestion on main city routes.
The CDA has pursued a holistic development approach along this corridor, pairing road widening and surfacing with carefully planned greenbelts, street lighting, and urban landscaping. This blend of utility and aesthetics is intended to reinforce Islamabad’s reputation as a planned, modern capital with an emphasis on beauty, order, and environmental harmony.
Public Response: A Modern Civic Icon in the Making
Images and videos of the sculpture’s installation have quickly spread across social media, attracting curiosity and admiration from the public. Many residents view the sculpture as a fresh civic symbol, praising the CDA’s efforts to incorporate public art into urban design.
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Early online feedback has been largely positive, with users commending the bold design and welcoming its potential to become a recognizable feature of Islamabad’s cityscape.
“This is exactly the kind of thing that makes a city stand out,” wrote one commenter on X (formerly Twitter). “Islamabad deserves more public art.”
Looking Ahead: Final Touches and Lighting
While the base structure has taken shape, finishing work is ongoing. The CDA plans to activate the lighting system soon, which will cause the spheres to glow from within, giving the hands a radiant effect against the evening sky.
Once fully operational, the sculpture will not only beautify the entry point to the city but also serve as a landmark that reflects Islamabad’s aspirations for innovation, culture, and identity.
