Shakarparian parking: ‘Clean’ bidding earns CDA five times more

The parking space at Shakarparian picnic spot was auctioned for Rs7.2 million a year.

ISLAMABAD:

The parking site at Shakarparian was auctioned on Thursday for almost five times the site’s bid last year, an increase the Capital Development Authority (CDA) claims is due to a transparent auction process this time around.

CDA’s Directorate of Municipal Administration auctioned the parking space at Shakarparian picnic spot for Rs7.2 million a year. In 2012, the same site was auctioned for a mere Rs1.5 million.

This year, the authority decided to auction the site under strict terms and conditions which include enhanced security for parked vehicles, beautification of the area, removal of encroachments, lane marking and installation of a security system with CCTV cameras.

Despite stricter terms, bids offered by contractors were much higher than the previous year.

To prevent possible resistance from a group of contractors, officials from Aabpara Police Station, Special Branch and CDA’s Directorate of Security were present at the auction.

Thirteen firms participated in the auction, where the highest bid received was Rs7.5 million despite the strict terms and conditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2013.