CDA poised to occupy vacant land in Park Enclave II

Authority chairman directs speeding up work on project

ISLAMABAD: The apex civic body of the federal capital has finished all preparations to obtain possession of vacant, public property earmarked for the Park Enclave-II project.

This was disclosed in a high-level meeting of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday to review progress on development works in different sectors of the federal, a statement issued by the authority said. The meeting was chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Chief Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed.

During the meeting, the chairman directed CDA officials to obtain possession of around 450 kanals of vacant land located in the area earmarked for Park Enclave-II housing scheme.

He added that almost all unresolved issues about the much-awaited housing society have been resolved.

The chairman further summoned a meeting of CDA-Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) within 10 days to ensure that development works in the Park Enclave-II can begin at the earliest.

The CDA chairman strictly ordered officials to start development work on the project in May and not to delay it any further.

Further, the Park Enclave-II project director noted that they have completed almost all formalities to take possession of public land located in the scheme. Other trivial matters are being resolved, he added.

The director claimed that most of the streets in the housing scheme have been cleared of all discrepancies, adding that some people have even started constructing their homes there.

The CDA chairman instructed the project director to ascertain whether a mosque being built in Park Enclave-II was completed within the given deadline.

The mosque, he reminded, is a gift from the Moroccan government who are bearing all expenses for the construction of the mosque. Once complete, it will be amongst the largest mosques in the federal capital.

A CDA official briefed the participants of the meeting regarding progress made on other development projects. CDA Works Department director-general (DG) said that the tender for development work in sectors I-12 and E-12 will be issued by the end of April.

After completing the tender process, he assured that work will commence in May.

The official further assured the meeting, the development work in Sector I-15 will commence later in April.

Anti-encroachment operation

To ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed and congestion is averted, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), with the assistance from the CDA, on Monday conducted an operation to remove encroachment and handcarts from the Sabzi Mandi.

The hand carts removed were shifted outside the main market and a minimum distance of at least six metres was ensured between each handcart.

Furthermore, all encroachment established on the footpaths were also removed during the drive.

CDA Enforcement Directorate, Islamabad Market Committee, ICTA officers, Islamabad police and other relevant departments took part in the operation.

The initiative is a continuation of the coordinated efforts of different departments to control the spread of coronavirus in the city.

Due to these encroachments and handcarts, little to now social distancing was being observed in Sabzi Mandi, which is visited by hundreds of people daily.

Relocation of hand carts in the open space with reasonable social distance and removal of encroachments from Sabzi Mandi will help control the spread of Covid-19 in the city.

Furthermore, awareness through loudspeakers is also being created among the people about maintaining social distancing and ways to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2020.