Capital greenlights key uplift projects

Plans include metro bus expansion, improved revenue recovery & housing for female officers

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board has approved significant reductions in various fees and charges related to industrial plot rates, land use conversion, plot amalgamation, and sub-division. Additionally, the Board decided to impose residential charges instead of industrial charges on farmhouses and approved several other key matters.

The meeting of the CDA Board was held on Thursday at CDA Headquarters, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and Director General Civil Defence Muhammad Ali Randhawa. Senior CDA board members and officers were also in attendance.

During the meeting, several agenda items were reviewed and approved. The Board decided to enhance the performance and capacity of the Machinery Pool Organisation (MPO) Directorate to support the city's development by ensuring the availability of construction materials, road infrastructure, and modern machinery. The procurement of new and advanced machinery for the MPO was also approved.

CDA Chairman emphasised that the MPO Directorate should not only legally participate in bidding for public and private sector projects but also generate its own revenue to meet operational costs and invest in acquiring modern machinery. This move aims to transform the CDA into a profitable entity.

The Board also approved hiring a consultant to develop residential facilities for female officers in Sector H-8.

In another key development, the Board granted an extension for the ongoing construction of the Islamabad Metro Bus project from Peshawar Morr to New Islamabad International Airport. It was also decided that the PC-I for the project would be submitted to the CDA Development Working Party (DWP).

The Board conducted a detailed review of the revised budget proposals for the fiscal year 2024-25 and granted approval for the updated budget estimates.

To strengthen revenue collection, the Chairman directed the appointment of a Director General (DG) Recovery, who will oversee and support the existing Recovery Unit. The DG Recovery will be responsible for presenting daily reports on CDA's revenue and outstanding dues.