ISLAMABAD: City managers on Thursday approved three new agencies — Building Control, Horticulture and Solid Waste Management — in the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

This was decided in the CDA board meeting, which was chaired by the civic authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal.

The board also approved transport policy and planning of commercial areas in Zone IV as well as direct access to the Nilore Height Project from Lehtrar Road.

The civic body is planning to launch this project for overseas Pakistanis and its dedicated access from Lehtrar Road will make it attractive for investors.

The board also consented to a summary for auctioning land and allied structures in the Arts and Craft Village and approved the integration plan of Gandhara Heritage and Culture Centre with Citizen Club in F-9.

Meanwhile, sources said the board rejected two controversial summaries - one related to change of trade of plot allotted for Tea House in G-6-2 and the other to sub-division of agro farms.

They said the board members were of the view that the plot was located adjacent to class 3 shopping centre of the CDA, namely National Market, therefore, there is no justification to make another commercial centre adjacent to it.A class 3 is a market mainly for the neighbourhood.

Sources said the board decided that the said plot was allotted for the tea house and the allottee might be allowed to run it as well as other food-related business, but commercialisation of the plot would not be allowed.

Regarding the agro farms, the board members said 9,500 square feet construction was allowed in the farms while the remaining area was meant for producing agricultural produce for the capital’s residents.

Therefore, there was no justification of the sub-division as the allotee of the sub-divided plot will go for a new 9,500 sq feet construction, which means that the farms will be used mainly for housing purpose instead of producing agri and poultry products.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2023