ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to get an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out before shifting the temporary landfill site from I-12 to H-16.

The civic body officials said the CDA board, in its upcoming meeting, would discuss shifting of the temporary landfill site, which will be set up on 100 kanals of barren and unplanned land in H-16. The civic agency has decided to get EIA done through the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).

When contacted, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed confirmed that the CDA board would discuss shifting of the temporary landfill site from I-12 to H-16. However, he said, if the board agreed, only then would the site be shifted on a temporary basis until the CDA and other authorities concerned complete work to set up a proper landfill site which is a long term and permanent solution.

It is relevant to note here that the CDA and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) will jointly set up a landfill site near Chakwal. Officials of both organisations recently attended a meeting in this regard.

The CDA officials said shifting the landfill site from I-12 was indispensable as the civic agency was about to start development work in the sector. They said those who were allotted land in the sector had been demanding its development.

Islamabad, so far, has no landfill site and garbage is dumped under temporary arrangements. Earlier, in 2004, the CDA on recommendations of international consultants had selected a site near Kuri for setting up a proper and scientific landfill site.

The authority had also constructed a road to link the said proposed site, but through a dubious decision in 2012, the CDA board while citing “environmental objections” decided not to develop the site in Kuri. Ever since, the authority has been shifting the temporary site from one place to another.

Earlier, in 2018, CDA selected a landfill site in Sangjani area, created by stone crushers, but during a public hearing conducted by the EPA, people of surrounding areas raised objections and requested that the landfill site should be moved somewhere else to protect them from its hazardous impact.

Sources said during the last few days before Eid holidays, the CDA discussed four proposed sites including H-16 and now it has been decided that the sector is a better option than others.

“The new site will be an environmentally-friendly site, therefore, we are going to get the EIA done before shifting the temporary site to H-16,” an official said.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021