Development projects: CADD minister admonishes CDA over delays

Sources say Dr Chaudhry passed on PM’s displeasure at civic body’s lethargy

ISLAMABAD: In what seems to be a verdict directly from the PM Office on the lethargic work rate of the capital’s civic body and its acting chairman, Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry delivered a chastising message from the premier to the body on Tuesday.

Dr Chaudhry visited offices of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday where he met with officials of the civic body, including its acting chairman and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz.

During the visit, Dr Chaudhry reviewed the progress of various projects CDA was working on. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had expressed displeasure over the slow progress on different development projects in the capital.

The CADD minister directed CDA officials to expedite work on sector development. Where progress was slow or stagnant owing to various reasons, he said they must be settled through continued talks by involving the local political leadership.

In case projects were delayed further, Dr Chaudhry warned that the relevant officials would he held responsible.

Issuing orders regarding specific projects, the minister directed the civic authority to speed up work on road projects such as Serena Chowk Interchange, Seventh Avenue-Kashmir Highway Interchange and Islamabad Highway Koral Chowk project, expansion of Islamabad Highway from Airport Chowk to Rawat, expansion of Murree Road and Bhara Kahu by-pass.

He further directed CDA to present proposals for making all major roads in the capital signal-free by listing out U-turns at tactical points to remove traffic bottlenecks. He also directed the authority to ensure a phased conversion of street lights from bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs.

The meeting also discussed the status of several development projects including Saidpur Village Pedestrian Heritage and Food Court Enclave, Islamabad Transport System, Multipurpose Club in G-10, Shahdara Water Theme park, Islamabad Transport System, a modern public library in F-10, new playgrounds, uplifting major roundabouts, and the Citizen’s Club at F-9 Park.

Dr Chaudhry further directed the horticulture department to initiate a campaign to motivate residents to maintain green areas in front of their houses. The campaign, officials said, would initially be launched in three sectors of Islamabad before being expanded to other sectors in the next phase.

The minister also directed CDA to install new water filtration plants in rural and urban areas of the capital.

Sources privy to Tuesday’s meetings development told The Express Tribune that the minister’s visit came primarily because PM Sharif was unhappy with the CDA’s progress.

To improve work at the CDA and strengthen the local government system in the capital, the premier had entrusted Aziz with the additional charge of CDA chairman on September 6.

But despite enjoying close relations with the PM and having complete authority to run the civic body and the local government, he had been mired in the administrative affairs of the CDA and had been unable to give much attention to development work in the capital, the source said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2016.