The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board has approved a range of new initiatives to improve urban infrastructure and governance in the federal capital, including the development of food streets, pedestrian tracks in the Blue Area, and a strong awareness campaign against illegal housing societies.
The decisions were made during the CDA's 7th board meeting held at the CDA headquarters under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. Senior board members and other officials participated in the meeting.
One of the key decisions was the hiring of a third-party consultant to audit all ongoing development projects, ensuring transparency and accountability. The board also decided to publicise the names of illegal housing societies not only on the CDA's official website but also regularly through media platforms to warn the public against fraudulent schemes.
Randhawa further directed that a zone-wise list of all legal housing societies also be uploaded online to help protect public investment and increase transparency. To strengthen administrative efficiency, the board approved the creation of new posts within the Estate Management Directorate-III. It also decided to restore Plot No. 28 in I-8 Markaz under current restoration policies, subject to full compliance with legal and financial obligations.
The CDA Board also greenlit the redevelopment of the Arts and Crafts Village, with Chairman Randhawa instructing Member Engineering and Member Planning to visit the site and finalize proposals for its revival. To improve urban management, the board approved the establishment of a dedicated Building and Housing Control Agency to address persistent challenges in the sector.
One of the headline projects approved was the construction of food streets and pedestrian-friendly tracks in Blue Area, aimed at enhancing public spaces and boosting local commerce. Randhawa emphasised the importance of using all available resources to promote the beauty, livability, and economic vitality of Islamabad.
The board also approved a three-month extension for the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) to continue daily waste collection and transfer operations across the capital. Plans for permanent dumping sites were also approved, with a focus on meeting future waste disposal needs in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Officials informed the board that the technical expertise of the Asian Development Bank would be utilised for the development of scientifically managed dumping sites. These facilities will be designed to minimise environmental risks and potentially incorporate waste-to-energy technology to meet future demands.
Randhawa emphasised that the new dumping sites should be designed based on modern scientific practices, including carbon credit strategies, to reduce pollution and optimise energy recovery.
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