ISLAMABAD: After receiving around Rs12 billion from the federal government or taking loans during the last five years, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has now decided to complete all the projects through its own funds.Moreover, the civic agency has also decided to provide services such as electricity and gas in the stalled sectors as people are living in I-14, I-11 and Park Enclave without the facilities.

The decision has been taken because of two reasons: First, CDA earned a bad name for its failure to complete projects and second, it has now sufficient funds in its accounts, said a CDA official, requesting not to be named.

He said during the tenure of the previous government the civic agency sought funds from the federal government or took loans to complete projects.

“However, now we have decided that all projects would be completed with the CDA funding as we have sufficient funds,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that with the passage of time people have stopped trusting projects launched by CDA and now they prefer investing in private projects just because they are completed on time. We have to fulfil our promises if we want to restore the trust of residents,” he said.

Due to incomplete schemes, civic agency lost public confidence, says official

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Safdar Shah told Dawn that as a first step it had been decided to provide basic services in the stalled sectors.

“People have been residing in some sectors such as I-11, I-14 and Park Enclave without having facilities such as gas. We have also decided to hold a survey for rehabilitation of the city.”

He said 50pc earthwork, filling and cutting work of service road (north) at E-12 had been completed. The rest of the earthwork would be completed by February after that work on sub-grading would be taken up. Instructions have been issued to complete the construction work within the stipulated time.

“The road being constructed at a cost of Rs97 million is the first step toward the development of E-12. The CDA Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) at its 45th meeting has approved PC-I amounting to Rs6.63 billion for development of E-12. Under the approved PC-I complete infrastructure, including construction of major roads, service roads, water supply network, drainage system, streetlights and other basic amenities will be ensured in the sector,” he said.

Allotments in E-12 were made nearly 30 years ago but development work could not be executed due to which allottees were unable to construct houses. The incumbent management of the authority after prioritising the development of E-12 removed all the hurdles and ensured the initiation of development activities.

Mr Shah said the authority had approved Rs210 million for installation and provision of gas network in residual areas of I-14. Payment is likely to be made to SNGPL in a few days after which it will start work on the provision of gas in the leftover areas of I-14. “Provision of gas in I-14 has been the longstanding demand of the residents as the matter has been pending since 1989. However, the incumbent management has resolved the issue and approved the release of Rs210 million for it. Under this project, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) would lay 3,470 metre-long pipe of four-inch diameter and will establish door-to-door network in residual area of I-14. Moreover, 29,250-metre-long pipeline of two-inch diameter and 501,110-metre-long 1.25-inch diameter pipeline would be laid in addition to upgradation of the existing gas network in the sector,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2020