ISLAMABAD: The twin sit-ins in Islamabad have severely hampered almost all the development activities the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was scheduled to launch this month.

Besides, the auction of commercial and residential plots has also been delayed.

To generate additional finances, the civic agency had planned to auction 30 residential and six commercial plots in D-12 sector on August 25. But it could not be held due to the road blockades and security concerns.

The auctions are usually held at the Convention Centre, but currently roads leading to the venue are blocked.

Auction of 30 commercial and residential plots also put off until Sept 24

The CDA had also placed two farmhouses besides two commercial plots in E-11 and F-11 sectors on the auction.

Though the new dates for the auction have been set for September 24 and 25, officers in the CDA were sceptical over the ending of the political crisis so soon.

“The main issue is that this auction is a basket of plots in different sections of society, therefore, different kinds of buyers would have to be approached, as those who buy a residential plot in D-12 will never bid for a farmhouse,” said an official of the estate department.

There has to be at least one week time to advertise and promote the plots being offered if an attractive price is to be obtained.

However, this can only happen after the crisis is completely over and the participants of both the ‘Azadi’ and the ‘Inqlab’ marches leave Islamabad.

Though the marchers have entrenched themselves at the Constitution Avenue, almost all the development activities in the city have been delayed. One major reason for this is the negligible or very limited work at the Cabinet Division under which the CDA functions for its decision-making processes.

“September is usually the time to launch the development works as the budget is released two to three months after the start of the new fiscal year in July every year,” said a senior official of the CDA finance department.

The civic agency had allocated Rs200 million for the development of D-12 Markaz and the project was estimated to yield significant returns.

But the planned tender for the project to be floated in the first week of September has been delayed.

Similarly, tenders for the construction of two underpasses on Faisal Avenue have been delayed. These underpasses were to connect Sector G-7/G-8 and Sector F-7/F-8.

The other projects facing delays include the construction and development of car parking lots in F-7. The civic body is not floating the tenders for two reasons.

“The political situation is very volatile and floating a tender at this time can land the authorities in the court, so nobody is willing to take such a risk,” said a senior official in the engineering department. He added; “Besides, the movement of heavy machinery is restricted and nobody knows when the roads will be cleared.”

The plan to construct phase –II of Margalla Road too remains in the files only. Currently, the portion of the Margalla Road across Constitution Avenue towards Bhara Kahu is almost unapproachable due to security reasons.

However, the CDA spokesman remains optimist that the situation would change very soon.

“Things are changing and we will try to cover up the time lost,” said Asim Khichi.

As the political impasse also seems to be delaying the metro bus project, the local bus service being launched by the CDA too has been delayed.

“There are chances that work on the project would be initiated on one route soon after the roads are cleared,” said another officer in the planning wing.

The civic body has planned to launch a bus service from Rawat to Secretariat via Club Road from Faizabad.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2014