ISLAMABAD: The city managers have decided to set up a special technology zone (STZ) on 150 acres vacant land, which is currently in possession of the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Shahzad Town.
Sources in the CDA said the NIH had been allotted 600 acres decades ago and lease of the land expired years back. This means the land now belongs to the CDA, said the sources.
“Though possession of the land is still with the NIH, the latter has no legal right on the land as the lease has expired,” said an official of the CDA.
He said so far NIH has hardly utilised 25pc of the 600 acres and the remaining land is lying underutilised. The issue was taken up by the CDA board, headed by its Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, which met on Thursday.
The board in principle approved the setting up of the STZ on 150 acres.
The sources said the CDA will hand over the land to an authority which deals with technology-related issues. After approval by the CDA board, the civic agency will take up the matter with the federal government for a final approval.
The CDA board also approved a layout plan earmarking dozens of plots where IT related projects will be set up.
150 acres currently in possession of NIH will be used for project, official says
The board members said currently there are 18 universities in Islamabad, producing software engineers and IT graduates. The board was told that there are only two IT parks in Islamabad – Evacuee Trust Complex Software Technology Park and KSL Software Technology Park in I-9.
The board members were of the view that the STZ will boost the construction industry with building projects worth billions of rupees besides promoting the IT sector.
Meanwhile, the CDA board also approved hiring of a consultant for usage/storage of rainwater. The consultant will recommend how rainwater could be brought under proper utilisation.
The sources said the CDA wants construction of water tanks in various areas and recharge groundwater. During the meeting, the sources, said the chairman directed the engineering wing to start digging rechargeable wells near streams to improve the groundwater level without waiting for recommendations of the consultant.
He said the CDA could improve water supply by plugging leakages and checking wastage of water.
The sources said recently the CDA added a section to its building bylaws under which all houses built on one kanal will ensure construction of a tank to store rainwater that could be used for gardening, laundry and car washing.
The CDA installed the first ever rain harvesting system in Faisal Mosque in 2010, but it could not be properly utilised.
At present, only 70 million gallon daily (mgd) water is provided to the residents of Islamabad against the total need of over 200 mgd. Rainwater goes to waste in nullahs as there is no system in place to store it.
“Today, the board decided to hire a consultant who will help CDA save rainwater,” said an officer of the CDA.
In Dec 2018, the then interior minister Shehryar Afridi told the Senate that groundwater in the capital had lowered by five times over as many years.
He said a six-foot decrease in groundwater was observed in 2013, a 10ft in 2014, 16ft, 23ft and 30ft decrease up to 2017.
Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2020
