ISLAMABAD: The city managers on Thursday made a new “commitment” to expediting the ongoing development work in several new sectors besides preparing working papers aimed at starting development of four stalled sectors.

The track record of CDA in development of sectors is very poor; however, on Thursday it was decided that ongoing work would be expedited.

Presiding over a meeting, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa received a detailed briefing on the development of new sectors.

A press release said the chairman emphasised the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding swift completion of development works and timely handing over of possession to the allottees. He directed that the pace of development work in all new sectors should be accelerated to ensure their timely completion and possession.

Prepares working papers to start development of four stalled sectors

Regarding C-14, the CDA chairman instructed that development activities should be expedited and possession of plots handed over to people before the payment of the final instalment [in one year].

The CDA is all set to sell out 236 plots (against Rs60 million for a kanal plot) in C-14 next month and allottees are required to deposit the amount in 10 months. The CDA chief directed that development work in the sector should be completed as soon as possible and possession letters handed over to people within their 10 months’ payment plan.

The meeting was briefed that over 85pc of road infrastructure and more than 35pc of drainage and sewerage works in C-14 had already been completed.

Sources in the CDA said that against 236 plots, so far the CDA had received over 800 applications. They said people could apply till December 30 and on January 14 through e-balloting plots would be allotted.

Meanwhile, the CDA chief also reviewed progress of development work iC-15 and C-16. In C-15, the development work was started a few years ago, but still it is incomplete, because of pending built-up property claims of locals and an issue between the CDA and the contractor on the slow release of funds.

The development work in two sub-sectors of C-16 was also facing the same kind of issues while the award of two remaining sub-sectors of C-16 are still pending on part of the CDA.

The press release said the CDA chief directed that all hurdles in development of C-15 and C-16 should be removed on a priority basis. He stressed the need for addressing legal aspects and resolving Built-Up Property (BUP) issues without any delay.

It is relevant to note here that the land affected people as per CDA’s award are supposed to get plots against their built-up property. However, recently the Islamabad High Court directed the CDA that instead of plots people should be given cash compensations.

In the light of this decision, sources said, the CDA would have to pay billions of rupees against the built-up property in various sectors.

Meanwhile, in relation to Sector I-12, the CDA chairman directed to initiate the process of handing over possession to allottees at the earliest. The meeting was told that 78pc of development work in the sector had been completed while the remaining would be completed in coming months.

The progress on E-12 was also evaluated in the meeting. The meeting was informed that substantial development work had been completed in sub-sectors E-12/2 and E-12/1. The chairman directed the member estate to devise a solution to resolving the BUP issues in E-12.

An official of the CDA said if substantial work in the two sub-sectors of E-12 was completed, the CDA should start the process of issuing possession letters to people to earn some trust. The CDA had launched this sector back in 1989 and despite the passage of 35 years development of the sector was not completed yet.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the chairman instructed for the swift resolution of issues related to C-13, D-13, E-13, and F-13, asking the engineering and estate wings to remove all obstacles.

These sectors were acquired by CDA back in 2008 and despite the passage of 16 years there is no sign of development work on it.

The meeting did not discuss I-15 where sources said the development work had been completed in three sub-sectors; however, one of the sub-sectors was not complete as the contractor had left the work halfway while CDA was also facing the possession issue in the sub-sector.

“There is a need to pay little focus on this sector as development work in only one sub-sector is pending,” said an official.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024