Meeting reviews progress on Signal-Free Islamabad Expressway Corridor

CDA bosses say expanding city needs more graveyards too

ISLAMABAD: A high level meeting on city development was held at CDA headquarters. The meeting reviewed the projects being carried out for the uplift of the city and projects of public utility and welfare.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on CDA Affairs, Ali Nawaz Awan, MNA Asad Umer, MNA Raja Khuram Nawaz, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, Member Engineering, Director General Works, Director General Services and heads of other concerned formations of CDA.

The meeting was briefed about the progress of work on Signal Free Islamabad Expressway Corridor. It was informed that the project is of immense importance because commuters using Islamabad Expressway are facing difficulties particularly from Koral Chowk to PWD as traffic congestion in the vicinity is a regular feature.

Therefore, completion of the project at the earliest is dire need. The meeting was apprised that the design of the project from Koral to Rawat has been prepared and PC-I in this context was approved by the CDWP and has recommended for approval from ECNIC.

The meeting agreed to take up the matter with Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms for early approval from ECNIC. The meeting was informed that the PSDP grant of Rs500 million has been allocated for the project for this year.

Keeping in consideration the current allocation of the project, the meeting discussed different viable solutions for development of Signal Free Islamabad Expressway Corridor. It was decided that in the first instance Bridge at Korang River would be constructed. It was discussed if a self-financing model can also be developed should be explored.

The meeting discussed that Islamabad is expanding day by day, therefore, facility of graveyard also need to be expanded. In this context meeting directed the Planning Wing of the Authority to indicate and allocate 100 kanal land in the western part of the city.

During the meeting concerned formation of the Authority presented a detailed plan regarding carpeting of roads in urban and rural areas of the Islamabad.

In this connection, it was decided that after thorough review of the plan members will inform CDA for their input in this context.

It was discussed that there is need to improve water availability in the city as well as restore parks as well as road furniture. The DFA appraised that necessary budget was allocated last year to MCI which is now with them. However, the elected representatives expressed the need that the matter will be taken up at the competent forum that CDA may be permitted to spend some additional resources on these matters with a view to improve the current situation of the city.

The meeting discussed the expansion of Fateh Jang Road, it was informed that expansion of the said road is domain of National Highway Authority.

Anti-encroachment operation

Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) conducted massive anti-encroachment operations in different areas of the city and demolished several illegal constructions and encroachments.

These operations were participated by staff of Enforcement Directorate, Islamabad Administration, and Islamabad Police while heavy machinery was used to demolish illegal constructions.

Staff of Enforcement Directorate during the  operation in Jaba Telee demolished two houses, five rooms and three boundary walls. Similarly, teams of Enforcement Directorate also demolished a huge boundary wall and removed several building material depot from the area near Sian Mirchu Shrine, Sector H-13.

Similarly, during another action an illegally constructed boundary wall in Katchi Abadi sector G-6/2, 02 newly constructed rooms in Katchi Abadi sector G-7/4, 01 car shed near government residents in sector G-7/4 and constructions carried out by contractor near Edhi Home, Sector H-8 were demolished.

Staff of Enforcement Directorate also removed encroachments from surrounds of Shifa International Hospital and sector I-11/4 and confiscated four truckloads of encroachment goods al which was later shifted to Enforcement Store. Furthermore, an illegal animal shed in sector F-11 was also removed.

Moreover, on constructing house in restricted area of Nilor an application with the consultation of Assistant Commissioner, ICT was also lodged in Nilor Police Station for legal action.

Another action was taken by the teams of Enforcement Directorate in sector H-9 katchi abadi and demolished eight newly constructed rooms, four boundary walls and also destroyed building block in the vicinity.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2019.