ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday invited bids for the construction of a service road from 9th Avenue to the F-10 roundabout to meet the revenue target for next month’s special auction of commercial plots in the undeveloped portion of Blue Area on the G-9 side of Fatima Jinnah Park.

The CDA is going to auction more than 20 commercial plots, including one for a luxury hotel, in this area between April 14 and 16.

The CDA engineering wing on Tuesday called bids for the road project, which covers drainage and parking facilities. A CDA engineer said that the chairman was directed by Prime Minister Imran Khan to begin working on the road and other facilities before the auction. Mr Khan also visited the auction siteon Sunday.

Sources said the CDA is expecting to make around Rs30 billion from this auction. When contacted, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed confirmed that the road, draining and parking project would begin before the auction takes place.

He said parking space is a significant issue in Blue Area already, which is why they are paying it special attention.

“There is sufficient parking along all the plots and we are also going to construct parking lots along the roads,” he said.

When asked about the lack of parking space in the developed Blue Area, Mr Ahmed said that these plots were carved out in a way that has caused problems.

“This time around we are not repeating the CDA’s previous mistake. We have reserved sufficient parking space with each plot,” he said, adding that the CDA will also look into the issue of parking space in the part of Blue Area that stretches from D-Chowk to Khyber Plaza.

Asked if this project will be abandoned midway after being launched to attract investors, he said: “We will ensure the project is completed before investors deposit instalments in one year. The CDA is not a property dealing agency, which focuses only on selling the plots, rather it is our responsibility to provide services to people.”

Mr Ahmed also said that meeting have been held with the Islamabad Electric Supply Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines to provide utility connections to those who buy plots in the auction.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2020