Following Nizami food street of Baku model…: CDA to provide new recreational facility on Rawal Dam banks

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to provide a new recreational facility for the dwellers of Islamabad along the Lake View Park on the banks of Rawal Dam.

The new recreational facility will be provided on the model of Nizami Food Street of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. At the facility, space will be leased through open bidding after pre-qualification to leading firms, associated with the food chains to create their own setups. 

Hundreds of shops will be built in the street, which will also have souvenir shops. The CDA will get revenue from the venture while the city will also get a beautiful lakeside view. The CDA has cancelled the 15-year lease granted in 2007 for various recreational purposes in Lakeview Park. One lease was granted for 14 years, and nine for 15 years. At that time, the lease was given to favourites at a nominal rate without open auction. Many leaseholders started holding wedding ceremonies there, in violation of the terms. Two leases had also been granted for 30 years. The ten leases cancelled currently would now be awarded through open auction, although the existing leaseholder would be given the first right to the highest offer. The monetary value of the setup, created by the existing lease-holders, will be assessed. The CDA has invited offers from registered valuers of the Pakistan Banks Association. Their bids will be opened on January 11. The firm selected will assess the value of these setups. If the existing lease-holders do not get the lease again, the new lease holders will be bound to pay the assessed amount to the previous lease holders.

Among the setups that will be offered through open auction are Off-Road Motor Support Pro-Go Carts, BMX Cycling, Paintball Buggy and Trampoline, Mini Golf, Golf Driving Range, Musical Play Area, Horse Riding, Mini Jets, Singing and Rock Climbing. The term of the new lease will be 15 years. At the end of the lease period, the setup will become the CDA property. Meanwhile, 28 shops and entertainment centres located in Lakeview Phase-II will also be leased through open auction, which are currently lying vacant.