Rs30 billion uplift projects okayed

Approval granted in high-level meeting chaired by CDA chairman

ISLAMABAD:

The planning and designing wing of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved nine development projects worth Rs30 billion, including the construction of highways and development works in three sectors of the federal capital.

In this regard, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman Captain (retd) Noorul Amin Mengal on Tuesday. Officers of the Planning Commission, CDA members and directors of various departments participated in the meeting.

The project concept-one (PC-I) of Sector C-13 was presented in the meeting. The participants were informed that high-rise building complexes will be constructed in the sector which is situated at the most scenic location of the capital city.

The participants were told that the project has been planned keeping in mind the beauty of the location. Later, the PC-I of Sector C-13 was approved in the meeting. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs1,078 million.

In the meeting, the PC-I of sector D-13 was also approved. The sector consists of 5,468 plots. In addition, the PC-I of the development works of Sector E-13 was also approved. The sector consists of 4,348 plots.

Apart from this, development works of Sector F-13 were also approved. The sector consists of 5,342 plots and will be developed at a cost of Rs.12,676 million.

Further, the PC-I of the construction of the infrastructure and development of Orchid Height Park, estimated at Rs1.77 billion, was also approved in the meeting.

The participants of the meeting were briefed about the alignment of the road passing through sectors C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, and D-12 in the Extension of Margalla Avenue N-5 to the M-1 project. The alignment of the road within the limits of Islamabad was approved.

The project of 11th Avenue from F-10 and F-11 to Colonel Sher Khan was also approved. Furthermore, the PC-I for the construction of the Multipurpose Citizens Club of F-10 was also approved.

A building of 110 guest rooms will be constructed at a cost of Rs2,298 million in which two floors have been allocated for parking. The construction of the National Bus Terminal was also approved in the meeting which will be developed at Rs4,252 million.

Illegal housing societies

Around 600 illegal housing societies have been operating in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad without any formal approval, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Captain (retd) Noorul Amin Mengal told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Wednesday.

The 35th meeting of the committee was held at the CDA Secretariat to receive a briefing on a comprehensive report on the implementation status of the previous recommendations of the committee; complete details of housing societies in Islamabad (legal and illegal), causing severe damage to the environment and sewerage system in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT); all restaurants located on Margalla Hills, causing severe damage to the environment with the poor sewerage system, and a complete case study of Monal Restaurant with previous follow up.

The CDA chairman informed the committee that there were some 318 illegal housing societies in Rawalpindi and 150 housing societies in Islamabad whereas most of these societies were in Fatehjang, Rawalpindi Tehsil.

The cumulative figure of these illegal or unauthorised societies was falling between 568-600 societies along with some 100 illegal societies being established in the adjoining Attock district.

With additional input from APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2023.