ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is looking for a joint venture with any developer or institution to set up Kuri Enclave - which will be the largest ever housing scheme.

Among the applicants is Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

A normal sector of the civic agency is spread over 8,000 kanals, but as far as Kuri Enclave is concerned, the CDA intends to set up its largest residential sector on 10,000 kanals through a private or government-owned developer or authority under the plots sharing formula.

For this purpose, in January this year, the CDA had floated tenders and sought expression of interest (EOI) from “reputable and renowned real estate developers, entities and institutions for the said project”.

Official says developer to be finalised on basis of competition process

In response to the CDA’s advertisement, several developers and institutions, including the DHA, Bahria Town, Park View, Faisal Hills, New City Paradise and AKD Group, submitted their applications.

After receiving the applications in February, the project was slowed down, however, nowadays, CDA’s concerned wings are busy trying to get this project started at the earliest.

Last week, several meetings were held in the CDA on this issue and a delegation of the DHA visited the CDA headquarters twice to pursue its application.

Meanwhile, there are also reports in media in which it was being claimed that the CDA is planning to shelve the competitive process and go for direct contracting with the DHA for this project.

Following this, Dawn approached director public relation for CDA’s point of view on Monday noon but she did not furnish a response till evening. However, a senior CDA officer denied that the project would be given to anyone through direct contracting, adding that this project would be executed after competitive process in accordance with rules and regulations.

“Open bidding will be done. Any applicant including DHA could win this project,” he said, adding that “rest assured no work will be done against rules and regulations”.

When asked if the DHA wins the bid, then how would the CDA sign an agreement with it when the housing authority had yet to hand over 729 plots to the civic body in lieu of a previous agreement of 2007-8, the officer replied: “As I have already said that we are not going to favour anyone. We are here to protect CDA’s right. If the DHA wins in open competition, we will ensure that we get our previously agreed plots first.”

“The joint venture suits us as investment will be made by the developer and we will get ready plots,” he said. In 2007-8, the CDA had handed over 2,412 kanals and five marlas to the DHA and both authorities signed an agreement, under which the civic body was supposed to get 729 plots, but it has still not succeeded in getting the agreed upon plots.

Earlier this year, in response to questions asked by Dawn for its report, which was published in February, a board member of the CDA had stated: “Everything is being done as per rules and regulations. After getting approval from its board and federal government, the CDA is going to launch this scheme,” refuting allegations that the project was going to be launched to oblige a certain developer.

Meanwhile, as per the CDA’s tender, the successful bidder shall exclusively be responsible for the timely execution of the project and would undertake and perform tasks, actions and works as may be required.

It further said that the entity shall commence and complete the development work on the project as per the approved schedule and plan, adding that before the market launch of the project, all initial expenditures, investments and finances shall be provided, incurred and borne exclusively by the developer. However, the CDA stated that the rights and ownership of the land shall exclusively rest with it.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024