CDA employees at work during the cleanliness drive. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued 340 notices to various housing societies warning them of action against unauthorised construction.
CDA is implementing building by-laws not only in the sectors but also in housing societies falling in the capital’s territorial limits.
In line with directions of incumbent management regarding strict implementation of regulations, Building Control Section-II of the authority has accelerated its action and has issued 340 notices to different approved housing societies located in Zone 2, 4 and 5 for carrying out unauthorised constructions, non-conforming use and other building by-laws violations under Islamabad Zoning and Building Regulations 2005.
The purpose of serving notices is to implement the building by-laws in the housing societies so that the symmetry could be brought in the building and construction pattern which can be witnessed in the sectorial areas of the city. These notices were served to high rises and other buildings including 214 commercial buildings and 126 residential premises.
In an effort to jump start the cleanliness drive in Islamabad the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration through the chief commissioner’s office launched a combined initiative today. The Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC), CDA and ICT staff and officers collaborated in this effort. The objective of the same was to clean up the city. During this activity not only is the sweeping of the city being carried out but the elements involved in littering are also being fined accordingly.
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This activity is being participated by the staff of relevant formations of IMC while the magistrates have been deployed to supervise the cleanliness operation. During this activity, in addition to the daily cleanliness operation, special cleanliness of the roads and markets is being carried out. Furthermore, machinery and staff have been deployed for the removal of garbage dumps from the open spaces, green belts, and jungle areas. In this connection, magistrates have been directed to take strict action against the elements that used to dump garbage in these areas.
Cleaning of the nullahs is also being carried out so that the smooth flow of water in the streams could be ensured during the monsoon season.
The residents of the city have also been requested to cooperate with the departments so that the city may be kept clean and tidy.
Anti-encroachment drive
The CDA, ICT Administration and concerned formations of IMC continued the anti-encroachment drive on Saturday despite it being a weekly holiday. During this drive, obstructions in the roads, streets and pedestrian movement, barbed wire and fences erected around the buildings, car shed parking and security apparatus, lawns and gardens established and encroachments in the green belts and open spaces are being targeted.
In this connection, the Enforcement Directorate conducted an operation in Sector G-6 and removed several encroachments, obstructing pedestrian movement, from state land. During this operation, fences and grills installed in front of 31 houses and security cabins constructed illegally in front of three houses were removed from streets no.31, 35, 36, 38 and 39 of sector G-6/2.
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Similarly, fences, security cabins, bathrooms, and other encroachments were removed from street no.1 and 3 of sector G-6/3.
Furthermore, a fence erected on 10 kanal state land in street no. 4 of sector G-6/3 was also dismantled while two rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a dog shed, a generator shed and a birdcage constructed illegally were also dismantled.
Earlier, CDA through a final public notice had warned the general public to remove encroachments from footpaths and remove encroachments such as fences and barbed wires installed around buildings, car parking, generators and security apparatus, lawns illegally established on the state.
The public was advised to remove these as well as other encroachments own their own otherwise strict action would be taken against these violations. On the expiry of the deadline, CDA, after taking on board concerned departments launched anti-encroachment operations for removal of all such encroachments. In this connection, the action is being taken on a daily basis and encroachments are being removed.
The builders and developers owning properties in Zone-V of the federal capital Saturday urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to halt its anti-encroachment operation till the finalization of by-laws for the area.
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Addressing a seminar held by Builders and Developers Association (BDA) here, the owners said they had already lost billions of rupees consequent to the CDA’s operation which needed to be stopped immediately till the settlement of the matter. During its operation, the civic agency had demolished or sealed commercial plazas, mid and small rise buildings in Zone V’s commercial area. The BDA’s General Secretary Jameel Khaliq said the association would act as a bridge between city planners and private builders to make the real estate industry more competitive and aligned to the future economic development needs of Pakistan.
He said the seminar was not only arranged to launch its official website but also provide platforms to the investors of Zone V for formulating a future strategy to safeguard their huge investments.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2019.
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