ISLAMABAD, July 16: Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PEPA) has opposed the installation of chairlift at Margalla Hills, an official of the agency told Dawn on Tuesday.

The official said the agency had termed the project an environment hazard as a number of trees falling in the path of the chairlift would have to be axed.

The plan for the installation of chairlift from Japanese Park to Pir Sohawa has been prepared by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) with a view to providing better recreational facilities to the people.

A source said the PEPA’s approval was necessary to initiate the project.

Meanwhile, the capital police and some other law enforcement agencies have also opposed the project. Similarly, the district administration has rejected the plan, saying it would help outlaws escape after committing crimes in the federal capital.

A local administration official said there were some reports that criminals entered Islamabad from the NWFP through Margalla Hills. “If the chairlift is installed at Margalla Hills, escape will become easier for culprits,” he feared.

When contacted, a CDA official confirmed that the authority’s board had agreed to install the chairlift and the project would be launched by August 14.

Responding to a question about the expenditure of the project, he said the exact figure was yet to be assessed. However, according to estimates, the project was worth over Rs300 million.

The official said the directorates concerned of the CDA had been directed to complete the arrangements so that the project could be commissioned at the earliest.

A source said it would be a joint venture of the authority and private sector, as the CDA alone could not meet the expenses.

In this connection, private parties and construction firms were being invited to present their plans for the installation of the chairlift.

Terms and conditions for the joint venture would be decided after the authority held a meeting with the interested construction firms, the source said.

He said there were two other proposals regarding installation of chairlift — one for installing it between Shakarparian (view point-west) and Rawal Dam, and the other suggested linking Shakarparian and Lok Virsa.

A CDA official said these two proposals had been made some years ago, but were rejected due to security reasons.