ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to announce the built up property (BuP) award of its seven acquired sectors.

The authority had acquired these seven sectors back in 2008 by announcing land awards, but despite the passage of 12 years, the civic agency is yet to announce BuP award to take complete possession of sectors.

CDA officials Dawn spoke to said that ideally both awards should have been awarded on the same day, and it is strange that CDA announced land award and the BuP award is still pending.

They said that this negligence of the authority, provided a chance to locals of the areas to expand their houses.

According to CDA rules, the CDA is bound to provide a five-marla plot in any of its sectors against around 300 sq yards covered area of any house, acquired under the BuP award.

Officials say civic agency should have announced award in 2008

Sources in CDA said that BuP awards of sectors F-13, D-13, C-13, H-16, C-16, I-17 and H-16 have been pending since 2008. Whereas, a few years ago, the CDA had announced BuP awards of two sectors, C-14 and C-15, but, astonishingly the civic agency has not implemented this award and still, people are living there as CDA has not allotted them alternate plots as per award lists.

In sector C-15, a few years ago, the authority started partial development work and contractors often face resistance from locals, who say that their BuP compensation should be paid first in accordance with the BuP award announced several years ago.

“The BuP award is a liability and delay in resolving this issue could put the civic agency in hot waters in the future as there are reports that the locals have carried out new construction after 2008, when the land award was announced,” said an officer of CDA.

He said that BuP awards should be announced with due diligence to ascertain original and fake BuP claims, adding that google image and expertise of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) should be utilised while finalising BuP award lists.

When contacted, Director (Land) Shafi Marwat said that CDA is cognisant of the pending BuP awards and soon these awards will be announced.

“We have been preparing lists of genuine people and soon we will announce the BuP award of the pending seven sectors,” he said, adding the current management should not be held responsible for delay as these BuP awards are due since 2008.

To a query, he said that for future land acquisition for sector development, the authority has decided that both land and BuP awards would be announced on the same day to avoid construction on CDA’s acquired land.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2021