CDA wants to make public buildings PWDs-friendly

Sets a two-month deadline for commercial entities to build ramps, toilets

ISLAMABAD: To facilitate specially-abled people, the civic agency of the federal capital has directed owners and occupants of all public and commercial buildings in the city to make their premises easily accessible to people with disabilities (PWDs) by building ramps. A deadline of two months has been set for the purpose.

In this regard, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Sunday issued a notice citing clause 4.1.16 of the Islamabad Residential Sectors Zoning (Building Control) Regulations 2005.

It added that under the regulations, the city has to be specially-abled-friendly through the provision of necessary infrastructure in all public and commercial buildings such as a minimum of one dedicated toilet for the specially-abled in all commercial, public buildings and plots for apartments/flats buildings. Such a toilet will be of a size which can accommodate a person on a wheelchair.

Moreover, the toilet shall be equipped with special features.

Similarly, there should at least be one lift in all commercial and public buildings of more than three storeys and residential apartments/flats of more than four storeys and such lift shall be of a size which can accommodate a wheelchair.

The regulations further stipulate that ramps from footpath level to the entrance of the building are must for granting easy access through a wheelchair. Such ramps shall be mandatory for all buildings other than houses.

The CDA, through its public notice, advised all such buildings owners and its occupants that these requirements must be completed within two months.

In case of non-compliance, strict action under the regulations shall be taken against the defaulters.

Earlier, the Building Control Section (BCS) Directorate of the CDA had issued instructions to government offices to build ramps and ensure other provisions for the specially-abled.

However, now the civic authority of the federal capital has decided to expand that to all public and commercial buildings of the federal capital.

The Building Control Section (BCS) Directorate of the CDA has informed that these instructions are being complied with in the new approvals for building plans which they receive.

Officials said that those buildings which were built earlier or have had their plans passed before the enforcement of this regulation will have to comply with these instructions as well.

6 mega projects for Pindi approved

The Punjab government has approved some 410 development schemes for the upcoming fiscal year, including six major mega projects for Rawalpindi.

The mega projects including the expected projects of the Rawalpindi Ring Road and the Leh Expressway. Other projects including the construction of a new district jail, two universities in Gujjar Khan and Murree, a 100-bed hospital in Kahuta, and two new recreational sites in Kotli Satyan.

The projects are expected to cost around Rs130 billion.

Punjab Parliamentary Secretary Adnan Chaudhry told The Express Tribune that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was quite keen to develop the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

He added that the Punjab government will construct the mini dams of Daducha and Papan along with two new universities within the Rawalpindi Division.

Chaudhry further said that the chief minister has also given his approval to release funds for the Chann dam, which will supply water to the suburban areas of Rawalpindi.

He added that foundations of Leh Expressway and the Ring Road are expected to be laid within the next two months while he expressed that the next year will prove to be a progressive year for the city.

Curiously, there was no mention of the Ghazi-Barotha project which the Punjab government is supposed to share the costs for.

Entertainment tax

With Eidul Fitr a lucrative stretch for cinemas, the Punjab Excise and Taxation department has imposed an entertainment tax on all cinemas and theatres operating across the province. As per the new tax, Rs20 would be collected on each ticket.

Moreover, the excise department has formed two four-member teams comprising inspectors and assistant directors which will collect the tax on a daily basis.

A two-member team, comprising Tajammul Irtiza and Chaudhry Khalid of the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has also been formed for Rawalpindi while four-member teams have been formed in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad as well. The teams will continue collecting taxes even after Eid as well. The department hopes to generate revenue worth millions of rupees through the imposition of tax.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM QAISER SHERAZI IN RAWALPINDI

 

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