ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Saturday demolished 16 shops, being constructed on the roof- top of a commercial plaza in Blue Area on the main Jinnah Avenue, for violation of building by-laws.

A team of the Directorate of Enforcement, led by Director Syed Mustafain Kazmi, carried out the day-long operation which remained peaceful, as no resistance was offered.

It was learnt that the Building and Building Control (B&BC) department of the authority observed the violation being committed by the owner of the Umer Plaza, 76-W, Blue Area (G-7/F- 7).

During a survey, it was observed that the shops were being constructed without getting proper approval from the authority and in violation of the civic rules.

The enforcement directorate was asked to remove the ‘illegal structures’ after completing the legal formalities.

The director enforcement said the shops, legally a common property of all the occupants of the plaza, were constructed mainly with pre-fabricated material — sheets, pillars and iron bars.

He said the encroachments were removed, without causing any damage to the main structure of the plaza, with the help of cranes. The operation, which started in the morning, was completed by the evening without any untoward incident.

Such illegal constructions on rooftops of plazas were being noticed for quite some time, and the CDA had already warned the against the illegal activity.

However, some plaza owners, after getting ‘Completion Certificate’ from the authority, try to erect extra structures on the rooftops which is against the law, because the rooftop is a common property of all the occupants of the plaza.

The CDA officials advised people that they should not only avoid raising illegal structures on the rooftops, but also remove those constructed earlier.

They warned that comprehensive surveys of the commercial buildings would be conducted, in addition to the surprise checks, from time to time, to prevent any such activities.

The Design and B&BC Directorate officials said such activities could be dangerous and might cause serious damage to the building structure, on top of which extra construction was done. “It will be in the best interests of the owners of the property as well as the occupants to avoid such illegal activities,” they said.