ISLAMABAD, May 12: The Capital Development Authority has failed to undertake a unique chairlift project from Margalla Hills to Makhiala Peak, Pir Sohawar, in spite of instructions by Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, sources told Dawn on Monday.

They said the minister had expressed resentment over the matter in a meeting with the CDA high-ups and asked them to save the project from falling into red-tapism.

Mr Hayat had directed the Director-General of Environment, CDA, to immediately invite the private sector to execute the project on clear-cut/soft term conditions and built operate and transfer (BOT) basis, the sources added.

The minister also criticized the CDA’s delaying tactics and directed the concerned quarters not to make the project more complicated.

Earlier, the CDA had decided to appoint consultants to prepare a feasibility report for the undertaking of the $8million project in October last year. The Authority had also appointed a consultant to assess and evaluate the expenses.

The 2.5km-long chairlift would be installed between Children’s Park, F-8/2, Margalla Hills and Makhiala Peak in Pir Sohawa. About 50 to 60 cable-cars would be installed to cover the length. The process would be completed within the stipulated period of one year at a cost of Rs500 million.

The civic body has fixed Rs0.5 million as fee for the consultants who would determine the economic and recreational viability of the project. They would also determine the suitability of chairlift with regard to rope length, engineering, exact alignment and security restrictions apart from other aspects.

The consultants will also ascertain that whether or not the project is economically viable for the environment of the city. They will determine as to how much area is required for the base station in Margalla Hills and Pir Sohawa’s Makhiala Peak.

The project would be completed on a self-finance basis while prequalified bidders would be asked to procure latest technology from abroad. After completion of the project, it is estimated that the civic body would be able to generate more than Rs1 million a month.

The CDA board has already approved PC-I of the scheme while the project would be okayed after completion of financial, technical and commercial viability.

The official said that the CDA had earlier dropped the proposal to install a chairlift between Shakkarparian-Zero Point and Rawal Lake, keeping in view technical, commercial and recreational viability of the project.

A senior official said that Pakistan had no indigenous technology or adequate expertise to undertake such a project. He said expertise would ultimately be hired from France or any other county. “We have appointed a seasoned consultant who will submit an assessment report by the end of this month.”