ISLAMABAD: Development work in several new residential sectors of Islamabad has been facing inordinate delay due to various reasons, raising question mark on the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) efficiency.

The sectors where development work has eitherbeen halted or is moving with slow pace are E-12, C-14, C-15, I-12 and I-15.

The work in these sectors was started some years ago, but could not be completed yet and even work in two sectors --C-15 and E-12-- has been halted.

“Apparently, there are two main reasons for slow pace, one is funding issue and the other is adverse possession of land,” said an official of CDA.

The E-12 sector was launched by CDA in 1989 and same year it sold out plots to around 4,000 people with a promise that development work would complete within a year. However, despite the passage of 35 years the development work could not be completed and many who purchased the plot in 1989 are no more in this world.

The CDA never made any serious attempts to start development work in this sector until 2021. However, in 2021, the development work was started in three sub sectors 1,2,3 while sub sector 4 was in possession of land holders.

Sources said that the work continued in sub sector E-12/1 with a slow pace but after completing around 45pc work, the development was halted in sub sector 2/3, which could not be resumed as yet.

Sources said that due to litigation with contractor the work was halted and now CDA’s engineering wing is preparing new estimates to complete the remaining work in these two sub sectors. While development work in sub-sector 4 will be started after land compensation issue between locals and CDA is settled.

Meanwhile, CDA has four sectors along the Margalla Road – C-13, C-14, C-15 and C-16. The work in sector C-13 has never started while in 2022, CDA awarded contract of development of sector C-14 and C-15. The work in these two sectors was supposed to be completed by June this year, but contractor missed the deadline, which was extended by the CDA.

Sources said that work continued in sector C-14 with substantial pace, but after completing around 30pc work in sector C-15 it was halted some months ago.

“There is no issue of adverse possession of land in sector C-14, but in sector C-15 we faced some resistance from local as CDA yet to clear their Built Up Properties (BuP) cases finalized in BuP award in 2016,” said an official, adding that some months ago, the CDA called applications form locals to clear their BUPs compensation cases, but later on no serious progress was made.

Similarly, the sources said that development work in two sub-sectors (3 and 4) of sector C-16 was started with full pace, but development work in remaining two sub sectors (2 and 1) could not be started as award (compensation details) in this sector is pending.

Meanwhile, the development work in sub sectors 2 and 3 in sector I-12, was supposed to be completed in April this year, but the deadline was extended. In this sector work is delayed but continued with good pace.

Explaining the current situation of sector I-15, CDA officials said that work in three sub sectors of this sector has been completed and only 20pc work in sub sector 1 is pending. “We are holding talks with contractor to complete this work otherwise CDA itself will complete it,” said a deputy director of CDA.

He said with little push development work in I-15 and 1-12 could be completed within next few months.

Besides, there is no clue when the CDA would start development in several other acquired sectors including D-13, E-13, F-13, and H-16.

The CDA, being development authority had main responsibility of developing sectors but it badly failed in this regard as it could not develop any new sector except Park Enclave Housing scheme after sector D-12, which was completed in 2008.

CDA’s director sector development Faisal Gadi could not be approached for his comment over CDA’s failure in completing the development work.

However, director media Shahid Kiani said: “The sector development is a top priority for the top management of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). But the development has faced delays due to multiple factors.

Adverse land possession, ongoing court cases, status quo orders, FIA and NAB inquiries, and sustained finance flow issues hindered progress on development work.

The CDA Chairman Mhammad Ali Randhawa said CDA is tackling these challenges head-on.

The Engineering and Estate Wings have been directed to expedite development work, resolve land disputes, and remove obstacles, ensuring timely completion of development work.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024