ISLAMABAD: Almost two decades after launching the urban shelter project for slum dwellers in Alipur Farash, the city managers have started a survey of the area to issue the residents permanent allotment letters.

The CDA had established the modern shelter urban programme 18 years ago and shifted residents of many slums in the city after allotting them over 2,500 non-transferrable plots (20x40 feet) there.

Initially,the dwellers of slums at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and F-9 Parkwere shifted there. Later, in phase two, slum dwellers of Dhoke Najju in I-10, Haq Bahu I-11 and Muslim Colony were shifted there.

However, the residents continued protesting against the civic agency for not providing them basic facilities such as water and sanitation and road networks. The CDA has snow decided to issue permanent allotment letters to the residents.

CDA established modern shelter urban programme and shifted residents of many slums there 18 years ago

Local MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz said: “The residents of Alipur Farash Town scheme are equally important for me as my other constituents,” adding he provided funds for the construction of roads and streets in the scheme.

“Meanwhile, my efforts are also under way for installation of tubewells in the area,” he said.

However, sources said due to various reasons, mainly job issues, many slum dwellers sold out their plots onstamp papersand moved back to the city areas in search of jobs.

Sources said the residents of Muslim Colony located near Bari Imam used to work and have food from Bari Imam shrine. But when they were shifted to the Alipur Farash scheme, they faced lots of issues that forced them to re-shift to their previous colony.

An official said director housing societies Faraz Malik and his team visited the area to oversee the survey process.

“Our survey is ongoing and it will be completed in two weeks,” said an official of the CDA. He said all genuine residents will be issued allotment letters.

A slum dweller said the CDA should allot allotment letters on the basis of a household survey and each married person currently living in Alipur Farash scheme should be allotted a plot.

“In my small house, my two married sons are also living. Tell us where they will go in future,” he said, adding the CDA had vast land in the nearby area which was being encroached by land grabbers. He said all married slum dwellers should be allotted a small plot each.

On the other hand, a CDA official said findings of the survey will be shared with the authority for making a final decision.

Sources said a large number of allottees had already sold out their plots on the basis of stamp papers and those purchased the plots also belonged to the marginalised class.

“This issue is a chronic one and now we have decided to get the survey completed and start development work there,” said the official.

In the adjacent areas, the CDA and Naya Pakistan Housing Development Authority (NPHDA) are also constructing high-rise buildings for low income people where around 400 flats will also be allotted to slum dwellers of F-6 and F-7.

The CDA official said the project will have 4,000 apartments under three categories. Under the first category, 1560 apartments will be constructed which will be auctioned to meet the cost of the project. In the second category, 400 apartments will be allotted to slum dwellers and in the last category the CDA in collaboration with NPHDA will allot 2,000 apartments to people belonging to low income group who would be registered with NPHDA.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2021