CDA to survey buildings for code violations

Three teams formed to complete the survey within a month

ISLAMABAD: To determine the nature of violations by different buildings in the federal capital, the apex civic agency of the city decided on Thursday to launch a survey in the city. For this purpose, three separate committees have been constituted to complete the survey within 30 days.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) state that they have decided to conduct detailed surveys to ascertain building violations in various types of buildings including government accommodations and office buildings owned by different ministries or departments.

The first committee was formulated with Building Control-II director as its head and comprising maintenance director, urban planning deputy director and representatives from the Estate Office as its members. They will survey government accommodations and determine the violations carried out by allottees or occupants.

The second committee is headed the building control-I director with urban planning director, estate management –II director and a representative of PWD will be its members. They will conduct surveys in buildings owned by various government ministries and departments to determine the violations committed there.

The third committee will be headed by the building control-I director with sanitation director and EPC director its members. They will conduct surveys regarding illegal sewerage connections of buildings which drain into nullahs.

These committees have been directed to submit weekly reports to the CDA chairman. In case violations are found, the teams have been directed to serve notices to the violator.

All concerned departments of CDA have been directed to provide necessary assistance to the committees to complete the task within the stipulated time period.

Master plan dialogue

The federal commission constituted to revise the federal capital’s master plan held a consultative dialogue at the Pakistan-China Friendship Center on Thursday to provide an opportunity to seek views of all stakeholders to formulate guidelines regarding the revision of Islamabad’s master plan.

The dialogue saw members of federal commission and representatives of different concerned departments, including the Rawalpindi Development Authority, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Islamabad Police, the National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA), Pakistan Housing Authority, Pakistan Air Force, Pak Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), serving and retired officers of the capital’s planning wing, a panel of experts, renowned architects and town planners.

The dialogue began with a presentation about revisions in the master plan. Participants were briefed about the scope of work of the federal commission and were then invited to discuss it.

A questionnaire prepared for online suggestions was also floated in the session. This questioner will be placed online for seeking inputs from the general public.

Federal Commission Convener and CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed said that they want to make the revised master plan more sustainable which will lead to a self-finance mechanism.

Moreover, he said that green character is the central theme of the city, therefore, while revising master plan protection, preservation and further enhancement of green character would be ensured. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2019.