July 22, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 21, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 21: Army engineers are likely to be inducted in the engineering wing of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on a contract basis to streamline development projects, CDA Chairman Chaudhry Abdul Rauf told Dawn on Monday.

He said different groups had become active in the authority and always tried to overwhelm each other, causing losses to the authority. “We want to eliminate the hegemony of these groups by inducting seasoned officials from outside,” he added.

The CDA chief said it might be possible that these officials would be inducted from other government organizations, like the National Highway Authority.

In reply to a question on duration of service of the officials, he said they would be appointed on a three-year contract. “We will prefer to select those who are well conversant with laws relating to the CDA and other local bodies.”

Mr Rauf claimed that mass-scale irregularities had been detected in the engineering wing of the CDA and those found guilty would face action.

A four-member committee has been formed to probe into the alleged irregularities in the maintenance wing and roads directorate.

Talking about development of new sectors in Islamabad, he said problem of sector D-12 would be solved first and the next board meeting would decide how to resolve it.

Asked whether the CDA would accept Siri Saral and Pind Sangrial villagers’ demand for provision of double benefit for the land acquired by the CDA for developing sector D-12, he said it would also be decided by the CDA board.

He was of the view that the development of sector I-14 was necessary to accommodate all the applicants of land compensation cases. “Development work in sector I-14 and I-16 has been started to provide housing facility to the people,” he added.

Highlighting various ongoing road projects, he said Islamabad Highway would be made a fast-moving road as there would be no traffic signal from Faizabad to Faisal Mosque. Two under-pass would be constructed at Zero Point square and in front of H-8 square and Shakarparian Avenue.

“There was a plan to construct a flyover at Zero Point but due to financial constraints and topography of the locality, it could not be taken up,” he said.

Talking about the four under-construction bridges on the highway from Faizabad to Rewat, he said the concerned contractor was reluctant to start work on the project due to hike in its cost.

The contractor, he added, had begun the work following an approval by the CDA regarding increase in the cost of the project. “The construction of Soan Bridge and the Khanna Bridge will be completed by Aug 10 and 31, respectively,” he said.

In reply to another question about a modern urban shelter programme under which six kutchi abadis are being shifted to Alipur Farash, he said the Noorpur Shahan kutchi abadis would be shifted first.

The CDA chairman said Noorpur Shahan would not be declared a model village. However, the CDA would shortly carried out an anti-encroachment operation in the area.

Talking about an ongoing beautification campaign in the capital, he said all main squares and roundabouts on the Constitution Avenue and Jinnah Avenue were being remodelled.

In order to keep both the avenues green, the CDA will soon install sprinkler system in the green belts. The system is being installed for the first time in the city.