ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Margalla Road is part of Islamabad’s master plan and six residential sectors are dependent on the road.

Pak-EPA Director general Farzana Altaf Shah chaired a public hearing held at the Convention Centre to discuss the Margalla Avenue project which is already in progress from Sangjani to D-12 area.

CDA officials in its presentation told the DG EPA that it was meant to provide an alternative route to the general public so they can enter Islamabad city. It will also be an alternative approach for newly-developed and to-be developed sectors.

Officials told the EPA head that the total project cost was Rs3.29 billion and three per cent of it was the environment budget.

Sources said there was a mixed response from public as many participants expressed concerns and termed the project “anti-environment”.

After hearing the view points of all, the EPA chief decided that minutes of the meeting will be shared with CDA soon with further directions.

Sources said the EPA will give the go-ahead to CDA with certain conditions including implementation of proper mitigation plan as half of the road has already been constructed.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2021