About 75 percent of construction work on the boundary wall has been completed so far. PHOTO: FILE.
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has suffered another setback after residents of Majoohan -- a small locality, part of which falls within Park Enclave’s boundary --- refused to allow further construction of the housing project’s boundary walls until they are paid of the agreed-upon compensation amount.
About 75 percent of construction work on the boundary wall has been completed so far. “Recently, the contractor of the project was asked by the affected people to not carry out any further constructions. Development work was halted around a week ago,” said a CDA Engineering Wing official.
There are 13 built-up structures in Majoohan that fall within Phase-I of Park Enclave. On December 12, 2011, the CDA board approved Rs2.35 million as compensation for these 13 properties. The affected residents were also promised other rehabilitation benefits including residential plots against their land.
After the agreement, the locals allowed the authority to build the Park Enclave boundary wall. A Rs48 million contract for the wall was awarded to firm Arif and Co, which quoted the lowest bid to beat out Military Engineering Services (MES) schedule and the NHA.
Work on the project was initiated some six months ago. Though the authority went on with construction of the boundary wall, it did not bother to disburse the compensation funds among the affected people. Realising that the situation was going nowhere, last week locals stopped the contractor from carrying out any further work.
A senior official at the authority said the CDA promised residential plots to the affected people contrary to the fact that provision of plots without announcing the award of land was not possible under the existing rules.
“Initially, the affected people have agreed to not create any hindrance in the developmental work for Park Enclave. However, they have linked it with early payment of compensation,” he said.
“Though the CDA board has decided that compensation will be paid at earliest to remove hindrances in the smooth execution of the project, till today, the affected people are still waiting,” he added.
The approach of city managers towards resolving longstanding issues pertaining to the development of Park Enclave is evident from this latest episode, said an official. The reservations of investors have increased, who are now refusing to pay instalments on plots until visible development on the site, he added.
CDA Chairman Tahir Shahbaz, who will be visiting Park Enclave today (Tuesday) to inspect the pace of work, told The Express Tribune that the issue was a petty one. “On Tuesday, I will visit the site with the Engineering and Estate members. All outstanding issues with locals will be discussed there and appropriate directions will be issued to both the members,” Shahbaz said.
The chairman said the authority had already kicked off ground development work. “Besides construction of boundary wall, the construction of link roads within the housing society has also been initiated,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2013.
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