It also mentions that the authority was in the process of computerising land records, which it has been doing for the better part of a decade. PHOTO: FILE.
Barely a week after the completion of the first year of the incumbent regime, the capital’s civic agency submitted an annual performance report to the Cabinet Division.
There was nothing substantial to mention in terms of development or any significant breakthrough in resolving long-standing civic issues.
In the report, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) took pride in beautification around and lane marking on some city roads, which most would consider a routine matter.
Successful land auctions, which usually only work to cover-up poor financial management, have also been listed as an achievement. The summary of recently-held commercial plot auction where some 23 plots were sold, mainly to cover non-developmental expenditure, was also stated to be a success.
Other achievements mentioned include construction of a boundary wall to secure a 215-acre area reserved for Park Enclave, a housing project launched in 2011 which was supposed to be completed by 2012.
About Margalla Avenue, the report said work is in progress on a six-kilometre stretch between Sangjani and Sector D-12, while efforts are under way to resolve encroachment-related issues on the remaining 2.5-kilometre patch.
The situation was more-or-less the same when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government assumed power.
The authority also claimed that it has retrieved some 2,000 kanals from adverse possession in Sector D-12, Mandi Mor and Faizabad. However, the officials conveniently forgot to mention that the areas which were cleared of encroachments at Mandi Mor and Faizabad were reoccupied within days of the the cleanup operation.
It also mentions that the authority was in the process of computerising land records, which it has been doing for the better part of a decade.
Approving compensation packages for people affected by development work in sectors I-17 and H-16, installing security apparatus at the H-9 weekly bazaar, starting work on a slaughterhouse, and clearing right-of-way along GT Road were also listed in the report.
Similarly, the authority said that the PC-I of Kuri Model Village has also been prepared. If processed successfully, the report said, some 2,900 acres of land will be available for sale, while some 4,000 affectees of Kuri and Rehara villages would be facilitated.
In fact, the authority made little progress on longstanding issues around of Kuri Model Village and sectors H-16 and I-17.
However, the directorate of Municipal Administration enhanced its revenues from a mere Rs27million to Rs666 million.
A senior CDA official, asking not to be named, admitted that the authority delivered less in terms of improved civic facilities and development during this period while agreeing execution of certain projects involves hectic planning and designing.
“Most of our megaprojects are in currently in the planning phase,” the official said.
He informed that projects including Margalla Highway, Gandhara Triangle, widening of Islamabad Highway with construction of high-rise buildings on both sides, development of stalled residential sectors, rehabilitation and replacement of decades-old water supply lines, and an Islamabad bus service are in the pipeline and will be inaugurated soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2014.
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