Unexpected benefit: New airport road may force CDA to develop I- sectors
Changed alignment passes through many undeveloped sectors; CDA dilly-dallying over development for decades.
Around Rs2 billion have been allocated for land acquisition and shifting of utilities falling within the proposed route alignment of the new roads, while Rs1 billion have been allocated for construction of two new approach roads. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has allocated Rs3 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme to build new approach roads to the under-construction Islamabad International Airport near Fateh Jhang.
Around Rs2 billion have been allocated for land acquisition and shifting of utilities falling within the proposed route alignment of the new roads, while Rs1 billion have been allocated for construction of two new approach roads.
The cost of the two roads has been worked out at Rs16 billion, while another Rs 13.8 billion will be required to acquire 22,726 kanals.
The first approach road will start at Golra Chowk on Kashmir Highway and culminate at the entrance of airport after passing through the I- and H- series of sectors.
The second approach road, which is a relatively shorter one, will commence from Thalin on the motorway (M-2) and conclude at the airport.
The National Highway Authority and Civil Aviation Authority are currently overseeing the project, which, if completed with the new route alignment, would help the CDA develop stalled residential sectors in the I-series meant for low-income groups.
The CDA had announced the I-series of sectors decades ago, but sectors I-14 through I-17 have yet to be developed by the authority. Aimed to provide affordable housing to low and middle income groups, if developed, these sectors could house thousands of families.
As they are meant for low-income groups the CDA never bothered to pay attention to their development, said an estate management wing official.
In the recent past, the authority has also allocated some 20 acres land in Sector I-15 for the construction of flats for its lower-grade employees.
“Failure to develop these sectors had widened the gap between housing supply and demand for Islamabad residents,” the official said. He said the situation had also adversely impacted the already-fragile financial conditions of low income groups, as despite owning plots in these sectors, they have been paying significant portions of their incomes to rent accommodation.
The government also plans to develop a housing project for the poor in the same area.
“With the construction of this road, the CDA will be forced to develop these stalled sectors,” the official said.
He said that although the new airport road project is more expensive than the original road plan it would a blessing in disguise for the CDA and plot owners at I-series sectors.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
The federal government has allocated Rs3 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme to build new approach roads to the under-construction Islamabad International Airport near Fateh Jhang.
Around Rs2 billion have been allocated for land acquisition and shifting of utilities falling within the proposed route alignment of the new roads, while Rs1 billion have been allocated for construction of two new approach roads.
The cost of the two roads has been worked out at Rs16 billion, while another Rs 13.8 billion will be required to acquire 22,726 kanals.
The first approach road will start at Golra Chowk on Kashmir Highway and culminate at the entrance of airport after passing through the I- and H- series of sectors.
The second approach road, which is a relatively shorter one, will commence from Thalin on the motorway (M-2) and conclude at the airport.
The National Highway Authority and Civil Aviation Authority are currently overseeing the project, which, if completed with the new route alignment, would help the CDA develop stalled residential sectors in the I-series meant for low-income groups.
The CDA had announced the I-series of sectors decades ago, but sectors I-14 through I-17 have yet to be developed by the authority. Aimed to provide affordable housing to low and middle income groups, if developed, these sectors could house thousands of families.
As they are meant for low-income groups the CDA never bothered to pay attention to their development, said an estate management wing official.
In the recent past, the authority has also allocated some 20 acres land in Sector I-15 for the construction of flats for its lower-grade employees.
“Failure to develop these sectors had widened the gap between housing supply and demand for Islamabad residents,” the official said. He said the situation had also adversely impacted the already-fragile financial conditions of low income groups, as despite owning plots in these sectors, they have been paying significant portions of their incomes to rent accommodation.
The government also plans to develop a housing project for the poor in the same area.
“With the construction of this road, the CDA will be forced to develop these stalled sectors,” the official said.
He said that although the new airport road project is more expensive than the original road plan it would a blessing in disguise for the CDA and plot owners at I-series sectors.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.