No major development activity in capital

Islamabad: Details of development projects provided during a review meeting held at headquarters of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Tuesday revealed that the civic body was far behind its target for the ongoing financial year.

The CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz who chaired the meeting said that latest technologies are being adopted to complete all ongoing development projects so that after completion these projects could facilitate the general public for a long time.

The participants were briefed about different ongoing and recently completed projects in the federal capital which shows that no major development activity was taking place in Islamabad. They were apprised about the projects had been completed including construction of multi-level car parking on the southern side of Markaz F-7, Islamabad at a cost of Rs194 million, construction of multi-level car parking on northern side of Markaz F-7 with total cost of Rs143 million, construction of citizen facilitation centre at Jasmine Road, G-7, at a cost of Rs55 million, construction of public toilets in various sectors amounting to Rs38 million. In addition construction of Enquiry Office in Margalla Town at a cost of Rs4 million, besides Club House at Markaz, F-6, has been completed at a cost of Rs98 million and construction of cattle pond near Saidpur village was also completed with total cost of Rs38 million and security measures at Parliament House also with cost of Rs74 million.

It may be pointed here that CDA Board which in second week of July this year had approved Rs37.971 billion budget of the CDA for the financial year 2017-2018. The total allocations for the budget include Rs21.18 billion for the development projects, inclusive of Rs11.1 billion to be spent on the priority projects.

The civic body had also planned to open sectors C-15 and C-16 during the fiscal year 2017-18 in order to meet revenue generation target of Rs32.14 billion. The priority projects approved in the budget 2017-18 includes construction of Bhara Kahu bypass, development of sectors E-12, C-15 and I-15, construction of interchanges at Sohan and Khanna on Islamabad Expressway, dualisation of Ataturk Avenue (Embassy Road), construction of underpass on Faisal Avenue and construction of Khayaban-e-Margalla from GT Road to Sector D-12

Sheikh Anser Aziz during Tuesday’s meeting directed to submit progress reports of all development projects separately. He also directed to the concerned deputy directors to remain present in the field to ensure quality of work within stipulated time period.

He was also informed about the ongoing development projects in the city which are at different stages including construction of 2 public toilets near Court Complex, F-8 Markaz. 78% work has been completed so far. 65% construction of flower market in Sector F-8, in addition of imam and moazan quarter at masjid Aman Rawal Town, up-gradation of mosque at Pak Secretariat is under way.

The meeting was also informed about the other project which are at different stages including 70% construction of police station at Markaz I-16 and 70% construction work of administration block, magazine quarter guard, barracks MT Shed, Horstable at Diplomatic enclave and construction work of 05 Police Barracks near K-Block Admin sector has also been completed.