ISLAMABAD: Despite collecting over Rs5 billion against plots in Sector I-15 over 11 years ago, the city managers have failed to hand over the possession of the developed plots to the allottees.

The sector was initiated in 2005 and a year later it was inaugurated by the then prime minister, Shaukat Aziz.

Five and seven marla plots were to be carved out in the sector. As per the initial plan, the CDA was to develop 5,600 plots and construct 8,000 flats in the sector. However, the authority later dropped the idea of building flats and decided to allot plots to those who had applied for the apartments.

However, the allottees are still waiting for the developed plots as the authority is yet to start the development work in the sector.

“It is true that we are yet to launch the development work in the sector even after 11 years,” said Malik Saleem, the spokesperson for the CDA.

He, however, attributed the long delay to the change in the initial plan. “Actually, we had initially decided to develop over 5,000 plots and construct 8,000 flats. Later, we dropped the plan to build the flats and this process took time, causing the delay.”

He said the authority had now decided to start the development work on a priority basis.

During the last six years, the CDA developed Park Enclave, a housing project, where a one kanal plot was sold against more than Rs10 million. On the other hand, the city managers paid no attention towards Sector I-15, where small plots were to be developed.

Sector E-12 is another example of CDA’s apathy, where people have been waiting for the developed plots for about 26 years. The sector was launched in 1989 but the CDA failed to develop it. Sector I-14, I-12 and a part of I-11 are also among the stalled sectors.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2016