ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) conducted an operation against encroachments and illegal construction on Murree Road and Club Road and demolished several buildings constructed in violation of CDA’s building regulations, while some have also been sealed on account of non-conforming use.

According to the CDA, during the operation, encroachments by hotels and motels on Murree Road and Club Road, nonconforming use of premises and other building violations were targeted.

Sources say that there are two unauthorised wedding marquees operating on motel plots, but action has yet to be taken against them.

During the operation on Sunday, 14 rooms, four guard posts, four barriers and a huge shed constructed illegally by Embassy Lodge’s management were demolished. Similarly, three barriers, two guard posts and a fence erected on state land by the management of Tulip Hotel were razed along with four barriers, four guard rooms, one room and a fence which were erected by encroaching the right of way.

Moreover, one guard post and two barriers of Hotel Pak Palace, two barriers, a huge fence and water fountain constructed by Dreamland Hotel, one barrier and two boundary walls constructed by Regency Hotel, two barriers erected by Majestic Hotel, two barriers and one guard post of Ambassador Hotel, two barriers by Fitness Club and two barriers, three sheds and two constructed rooms of Ramada hotel were also demolished.

The remaining encroachments and violations are being removed by the violators themselves.

During the operation nonconforming use of properties located along Murree Road are also being targeted. In this connection, Hotel Pak Palace was sealed along with the basement of Ramada Hotel.

The CDA said that in the past no action in this regard was taken. However, in continuation of CDA’s ongoing anti-encroachment drive, notices were served to managements of the targeted properties through newspapers and individually for voluntary removal of all encroachments and building violations and removal of nonconforming use from hotels and motels located along the roads.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2019