ISLAMABAD: The city managers have decided to launch a “Gandhara Triangle Project” along the Grand Trunk (GT) Road to earn revenue that could be utilised for acquiring land in Zone III.

Sources said the CDA shared the details of the project with the federal commission which is tasked with revising the master plan of Islamabad.

They said at a meeting of the commission held on Friday, it was stated that revenue collected from the project could be used for acquiring the land in Zone III.

Zone III comprises around 51,000 acres out of the total around 20,000 acres which is unacquired and private land. The commission discussed various proposals to acquire the land in Zone III and make new bylaws for Sub-Zone ‘D’ of Zone IV.

Revenue collected from scheme will be utilised to acquire private land in Zone III, meeting told

The sources said the commission proposed to send a summary to the federal government regarding the unacquired land of Zone III. It was stated that the CDA will not go for compulsory and forced land acquisition, rather the locals would be barred from selling their land in the open market.

The locals would be asked to sell their land, whenever they want, to the CDA and the civic agency will pay them in accordance with the rates to be fixed by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The land acquired from thelocals will be added to the national park area.

However, the commission was of the view that there would be no compulsion on the locals to sell their land to the CDA and it would be up to them to use the land or sell it to the CDA. But they will not be allowed to sell the land in the open market - subject to the approval of a summary from the federal cabinet.

The commission was briefed by CDA officials that in case the federal government allowed the civic agency to bar the locals from selling their land in the open market, the CDA will pay them after getting funds from the proposed Gandhara Triangle Project.

However, no proposal was discussed to decide the fate of houses as in case the owner of a house goes to sell it what option he will have.

Speaking to Dawn, a commission member confirmed that in the last meeting the voluntary land acquisition of Zone III was discussed.

“This is very much clear we will not go for compulsory or forced acquisition. However, a proposal is under consideration that could be presented before the cabinet for voluntary acquisition of land,” he said.

A retired officer of the planning wing, wishing not to be named, however, said the proposal seemed not feasible as there were several thickly-populated areas in Zone III such as Shah Allah Ditta, Kot Hatyal, Bhara Kahu and Banigala.

“For example, if someone sells his five-marla vacant plot in a thickly-populated area, what purpose will the CDA achieve after purchasing it? Similarly, if someone will sell his/her triple storey house to CDA, what will be the fate of that house; how will the CDA add the house to the national park,” the retired officer said.

“As per my opinion, CDA should frame similar bylaws for unacquired land of Zone III and sub-Zone D of Zone IV,” he said and added that other than the populated areas unattended private land of Zone III park. And the owners of the land should be paid after collecting revenue from Gandhara Triangle Project.

CDA officials told Dawn the site of the triangle project falls in Zone I, on the border of Zone I and Zone III in Sangjani area at the start of Margalla Road.

They said the site was near GT Road opposite B-17 and the triangle shaped scheme, comprising 74 acres, has huge potential for collection of billions of rupees. The scheme has five apartment towers, a mega shopping centre, plots for farmhouses, a cinema etc.

“Due to its location, this scheme has huge potential. The area is accessible from GT Road and Margalla Road,” said an officer of the CDA.

The officer said that the project was planned many years ago but the civic agency could not launch it, apparently due to influence of some housing societies. However, he said now the management of the civic agency is planning to launch it.

Meanwhile, the commission also discussed sub-zone D of Zone IV. The sub-zone comprises over 23,000 acres and could provide housing facilities to a large number of people. The commission decided to discuss the matter at its next meeting.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022