ISLAMABAD, April 2: A visit to the popular Lake View Park is always refreshing but the foul air filling its entrance has gone unnoticed - that is until now.

Dawn has confirmed that the contractor collecting the entry fee from visitors has cheated the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of millions, allegedly in connivance with some CDA staff.

“Yes, I have been asked to look into the matter. I will conduct an inquiry to ascertain the facts, and hold accountable those found involved in the scam,” said Deputy Director General of CDA’s Environment Wing Iftikhar Awan.

A document seen by this reporter showed that Wahab Gul, with his highest bid of Rs27 million won the contract for collecting the entry fee in April 2011. But after the first mandatory instalment, he paid nothing and owes Rs18.35 million to CDA.

Meanwhile, contractor Gul merrily reaped millions.

After the scam broke four days ago, CDA took over the collection of entry fee and has been earning about Rs100,000 on an average day. Weekends earn much more.

Strangely, the CDA officials connected with the park affairs, like the park managers, directors, deputy directors and the director general, did not discover the cheating contractor all these 12 months.

What is worse, efforts are being made to provide him cover, according to CDA insiders.

One effort was to alter the date of start of work on relevant documents from April 18, 2011 to November 18, 2011, to reduce the amount to be recovered from the contractor.

However, member environment of CDA, Mian Waheedudin, has put his foot down and rejected the idea, insisting that those involved in the scam must be held accountable.

Mian Waheeduddin was on leave when the scam surfaced. “I will look into the matter when I go back to my office,” he told Dawn.