Gross violations by housing societies found in Islamabad

Islamabad:The housing societies operating in limits of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have been indulging in glaring violation of layout plans as approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and NoC granted to them.

It has been observed that almost all the violations of layout plans were committed following issuance of NoC to the housing societies and later there was no check and balance on part of CDA or ICT administration.

It has also been noted that the CDA officials in the Planning wing have been aware of violations encouraging management of housing societies particularly those exist on Islamabad Expressway to convey amenity plots and land reserved for graveyards, play grounds, Masjids and educational institutions into residential and commercial plots.

One of such housing societies is of which main road leads to Media Town. The management this housing society converted play grounds into commercial plots where multi-storey plazas having shops and offices had been raised. Taking notice of the situation, the CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa called a meeting regarding private housing societies at the CDA Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Member Planning, Member Estate, and senior officers of the Planning Wing. During the meeting, chairman CDA was given a detailed briefing on the restructuring of the Housing Societies Directorate and various matters related to private housing societies.

The meeting was apprised that the process of issuing notices on account of violations within private housing societies has already been initiated. CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, directed that the survey process in all private housing societies be expedited.

He emphasised that development activities within private housing societies should be monitored using Google and satellite imagery. He further instructed that strict action should be taken against private housing societies on violations of approved layout plans. CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa stressed that private housing societies must ensure the transfer of amenities plots to the CDA. He also directed that housing societies should ensure the provision of basic amenities for welfare of their residents.

Furthermore, Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa instructed that details of illegal housing societies be made available on the CDA website. He also directed that awareness campaigns regarding illegal housing societies be launched in the media to protect the public from potential losses.