ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board on Tuesday took several decisions, including earmarking land for Polyclinic and re-planning D-12 sector and Blue Area.

The board held a meeting at the CDA headquarters which was presided over by Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed.

Sources said the meeting approved allocation of five acres for the extension of Polyclinic in G-11 and changes to the layout plan of D-12 to create 81 new residential plots of various sizes.

The re-planning of the G-9 portion of Blue Area opposite F-9 Park was also approved.

Earlier, extension of Polyclinic in G-6 was allowed in the adjacent park but the move was criticised by environmentalists.

Last year, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) scraped the proposed extension of the hospital.

Authority’s board also clears re-planning of G-9 portion of Blue Area opposite F-9 Park

The sources said the board allotted five acres in an ideal location of G-11 for the hospital.

Around 20 commercial plots, including one for a five-star hotel, have also been planned in the G-9 portion of Blue Area.

Earlier, the plot planned for the hotelmeasured 12 acres which was not feasible as investors did not take interest in it.

However, now the plot size has been reduced to six acres.

The board also approved changes to the layout plan of D-12, creating 81 new plots.

Recently, officers serving in a constitutional body had pushed the CDA for allotment of plots in D-12 where there were no plots on the government quota.

However, a CDA officer told Dawn that the creation of new plots had nothing to do with the demand of the government officials.

“Actually, we have a large chunk of un-utilised land where we have created plots of various sizes,” said the officer who requested not to be named.

“We have carved out 81 plots which means we have enough un-utilised land there,” he said.

According to sources, the board also discussed a separate summary for Blue Area.

The agenda of the meeting stated: “Development of Blue Area: an initiative by the federal government.”

This agenda item was related to Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, which wants to start joint ventures with the CDA on the civic agency’s commercial land in Blue Area.

However, CDA officers Dawn spoke to showed ignorance about the approval of the summary.

The board also approved restructuring of the authority as notified by the federal cabinet along with delegation of powers, job description of various officers and other necessary arrangements.

All the administrative and financial powers being exercised by the CDA chairman have been delegated to the vice chairman CDA/managing director (who is yet to be hired).

Once hired, he shall be the chief executive officer (CEO) of the CDA. Moreover, the word chairman appearing in all rules, regulations, instructions, policies and by-laws of the civic body in connection with administrative and financial matters shall stand substituted by vice chairman/CEO with immediate effect.

The chairman shall, however, remain head of the new CDA board.

Similarly, all the administrative and financial powers being exercised currently by the members shall stand delegated to the directors general of respective wings.

The existing posts of members created in the past through re-designations or otherwise shall cease to exist.

The word member appearing in all rules, regulations, instructions, policies and by-laws in connection with administrative and financial matters shall stand substituted by the directors general.

The board also approved the re-designation of the rest of BS-20 posts as general managers. Administrative and financial powers and functions previously exercised by the member administration shall now be exercised by the director general (management).

Similarly, the post of DG (services) is re-designated as DG (engineering). Administrative and financial powers and functions previously exercised by the member engineering shall now be performed by the director general (engineering).

Furthermore, administrative and financial powers and functions previously exercised by the member estate shall now be performed by the director general (estate).

Administrative and financial powers and functions previously exercised by the member planning shall now be performed by the director general (planning).

Moreover, the post of financial adviser has been re-designated as the director general (finance), who will exercise all powers and functions previously exercised by the member finance.

Except these posts, all positions of BS-20 have been re-designated as general manager of the respective wings and will directly report to the vice chairman.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2020