ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa on Friday directed the civic body’s engineering wing to complete the finishing work of the much-delayed Blue Area parking plaza project, including elevator installations and electrical work, at the earliest.

The parking plaza was supposed to be completed in March 2023.

“A meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa was held to review progress on the Blue Area parking plaza and Capital Street projects.

The meeting was attended by CDA members and senior officers from the relevant wings,” read a press release issued by the civic agency.

It said that during the meeting, proposals were presented regarding the use of various segments of the parking plaza and strategies to generate revenue.

The CDA chief, according to the press release, stressed the need for an effective plan to optimise the use of the parking plaza to maximise revenue.

The meeting was told that the parking plaza will have a capacity for approximately 1,000 vehicles and will consist of two basements, a ground floor and five additional floors.

Moreover, the plaza will include around 64 shops. It was also shared that, in the first phase, half of the shops in the Blue Area Parking Plaza will be offered for auction.

The rooftop of the plaza has a spacious place which will feature an open-air restaurant and café, along with facilities such as a paddle court, a cinema and other indoor recreational amenities.

Parking options will be provided to citizens on an hourly, daily and monthly basis, ensuring convenience for all.

Meanwhile, the meeting also discussed the various proposals regarding the design and operationalisation of Capital Street to be set up near Abpara adjacent to Art and Craft Village.

The CDA had sold out plots a couple of years ago, but development work could not take place yet.

CDA chairman directed that development work on the road infrastructure of Capital Street be initiated promptly.

He further directed that the development of the already auctioned plots be expedited to hand over possession to allottees within the “current month.”

He emphasised enhancing the design and planning of Capital Street to ensure it meets the highest standards.

During the briefing, it was apprised that Capital Street will feature facilities such as an expo hall, tourism hubs, art and craft stalls, an amphitheatre, a cinema and more.

The chair instructed that all remaining construction work on the project be completed on a priority basis.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2025