ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is likely to launch a new apartment project, Overseas Enclave, on the junction of G.T. Road and Margalla Avenue, hoping to generate billions of rupees in revenue.

The CDA board in its meeting to be held on Friday will be given a briefing by the member planning on this project. The CDA has 200 kanal land in the said area – 50pc of the land will be reserved for green character while on the remaining 50pc apartments and other constructions will be carried out.

“Our land is located in an ideal location and we are expecting to generate billions of rupees from this project,” said a senior officer of the CDA. He said that there will be nine blocks, each consisting of five kanals and added that two plots for a school and a hospital are also a part of this project. The successful bidders will be allowed to use the said plots for mix use, commercial plus apartments, the official added.

The officials said the area where the said project had been designed fell within the limits of Zone II where construction was allowed.

Board may consider changes to zoning regulations amid unauthorised construction

Last year, the CDA made efforts to expand the said proposed project – then known as Gandhara Enclave – to the protected Zone III as well, hoping to use thousands of kanals for construction. However, the civic agency faced backlash from media and environmentalists which made the agency revamp the controversial project. Now the CDA has squeezed it to only 200 kanal which falls in Zone II.

Meanwhile, besides other agenda items, the CDA board will also take up the issue of enhancing the floor area ratio (FAR) of apartment buildings in Islamabad.

An official said that according to existing bylaws, the apartment building could have a maximum of 1:5 FAR. Now, the planning wing wants to increase FAR up to 1:6 and 1:8, depending on the plot size.

The board will also take up the issue of unauthorised construction on private land along Margalla Avenue and near the national park area. It is relevant to note that according to zoning regulations, construction is not allowed in Zone III. Even, people who own land there are not allowed to do construction.

In the absence of by-laws, unauthorised construction is rampant, as neither the CDA is acquiring the private land of Zone III nor is it introducing by-laws. The CDA board will look into this issue now and sources said that the civic agency could ask the federal government for making changes to zoning regulations if a need arose.

Introduction of technology

The CDA board will also take up a summary of the technology wing, setting tasks and targets for the newly-created wing. According to documents, the new wing had identified several high-priority projects that include smart parks and marketplaces by introducing public internet service, entry point tracking, smart cameras and panic buttons at dark spots.

The establishment of an online complaint management system, introduction of e-office portal, property allotment through an online portal, digitisation of property ownership records, automation of levy and collection of property and other taxes, and land record digitisation will be main functions of the technology wing.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2023