CDA to take strict action

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to initiate a campaign against housing societies in the capital which are violating its master plan.

Officials said that CDA decided in a meeting at the Planning Wing Directorate that it would examine the affairs of such housing societies. This would be done on a weekly basis in order to identify various irregularities in the layout plan and misappropriation of CDA land.

The meeting identified serious irregularities in a number of housing schemes ranging from layout violations to creation of plots on the land reserved for public amenities like parks, schools and colleges, mosques and community centres. The official informed that the irregularities would not only be publicised through media but stern legal action would be taken against the violators.

The authority has so far approved the layout plan of 27 housing societies in Islamabad. However, increasing number of complaints against these societies have forced CDA to introduce its own housing schemes in collaboration with the private sector in a bid to avoid problems in future.

According to the plan, the private sector would be provided land in Zone III and Zone IV, which would be developed by CDA with its own resources, the sources further disclosed.

Earlier, the civic body used to publish the status of all housing societies on a monthly basis to prevent public from investing in the dubious schemes. But the practice was stopped after high level reshuffling made in the planning wing.

Published  in The Express Tribune, July 16^th,