ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board on Friday approved a new policy under which private schools established in houses would be given plots on a priority basis for operating on rental basis.

The board, which met with Chairman Anwarul Haq in the chair, besides other policy matters decided that the CDA through joint ventures will provide plots to private schools on rent on the basis of ‘Design build, finance, operate and maintain.’

The summary of the planning and finance wing had pleaded that 50pc plots should be given on rent to private schools operating in other parts of the country, 30pc based in Islamabad and 10pc for parties bringing innovate methods of teaching in schools.

However, the board decided that Islamabad-based schools, particularly those operating in houses, should be given preference. The board members were of the view that there were over 250 schools in Islamabad operating in houses, which was non-conforming use; therefore, the operators should be given plots on rentals.

Currently, over 250 schools functioning in residential areas, CDA board informed

The board decided that through competitive process such as open auctions, the owners of schools would be asked to submit bids for rent and highest bidders would be given plots on rent for 20 years under the new policy.

Bhara Kahu bypass project

The board was informed that Bhara Kahu bypass witnessed an increase of around Rs1.3 billion in its cost.

The original cost of the project was Rs6.5 billion; however, the scope of the project was expanded during the construction work.

The board was told that the contractor, National Logistic Cell (NLC), had moved a bill worth Rs1.8 billion against the additional work. The CDA referred the bill to the consultant firm of Punjab government, which endorsed the extra work and recommended the approval of Rs1.3 billion.

The board after approving the recommendation of the consultant directed the engineering wing to place the issue before CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) for final approval.

The bypass was a pet project of the Shehbaz Sharif-led PDM government and was completed in 10 months because of personal interest of Mr Sharif who inaugurated it in July last year just a few days before completion of his previous tenure.

IT park in erstwhile G-10 ladies club

The board also approved a summary of Member Technical and Digitisation Nauman Khalid for calling for expression of interest (EOI) to set up an Information Technology (IT) Park in the club building. The incomplete building of the G10 club was lying abandoned for years and last year the CDA board decided to set up an IT park in the building.

The board allowed the CDA for calling EOI. The board was informed that the facility will have shared co-working, incubators, spaces for startup and free lancers, software house spaces, office spaces, research centres, auditorium, conference halls, meeting rooms and library etc.

The board also approved a new icon for Islamabad - Margo. The board was informed that Mar is derived from Margalla and go depicts prospering, flourishing. Margalla Hills is a repository of endangered Asian leopards and the icon of leopard with P cap and glasses will provide people with information related to Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2024