Villagers’ ultimatum puts CDA’s Margalla Enclave Project in jeopardy

Islamabad : The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) newly launched Margalla Enclave residential project faces serious challenges as affectees from Kurri and Raiyara villages staged a protest on Saturday, demanding immediate action to address their grievances.

The protesters, led by local leaders Nambardar Rashid Kiani and Nambardar Jamil Khokar, warned that they would block the sale of plots in Margalla Enclave unless their demands were met. “The CDA management has shown no progress in implementing the agreement reached three months ago, leaving us with no choice but to protest,” said Rashid Kiani.

The affectees insisted on a revised layout plan for the model village, reflecting the promises made by the CDA. They argue that the current plan fails to address critical issues related to infrastructure and overall development, which were agreed upon during earlier negotiations. Residents of the area expressed frustration over the absence of a timeline for completing development work. They demand a specific schedule for the provision of essential infrastructure, including roads, water, and electricity, which are vital for making the model village habitable.

A major grievance revolves around the lack of basic amenities in the model village. The protesters insist that CDA must ensure access to water, electricity, and other necessities. Additionally, they demand compensation for affected families before the authority takes possession of their homes and land, emphasising the need for fair and timely payments.

An error in the land records has further fuelled the villagers’ anger. Land in Raiyara village has been mistakenly recorded as 56 kanals instead of 356 kanals. The affectees demanded immediate correction of this discrepancy to prevent further complications in their settlement process. The protesters also call for the immediate allotment of promised plots and demand that the CDA rehabilitate displaced families within three months. They stressed the importance of meeting these commitments to ensure their relocation is handled with dignity and efficiency.

Another critical demand is greater transparency in the CDA’s dealings with the affected communities. The villagers urged the authority to establish accountability mechanisms to ensure their grievances are addressed and promises fulfilled without further delays.

We will not allow CDA to sell a single plot in Margalla Enclave until all our demands are met, they said, emphasising the villagers' determination to escalate their protests if necessary.

The protest has cast a shadow over the Margalla Enclave project, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among affected communities. The situation demands swift and decisive action by the CDA to rebuild trust, address grievances, and ensure the smooth execution of the project.