CDA beautifying its home forgetting problems of Islamabadites

ISLAMABAD: Keeping aloof from problems confronting the Islamabadites, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) continues to spend hefty amounts for renovation of its offices.

With residents coming across variety of problems like poor air quality, industrial emissions, proper waste disposal, traffic snarls, parking problems and encroachments, the Authority would be spending Rs. 165 million on renovation of its offices.

Residents of the federal capital have expressed concern on this approach of the Authority, saying, though the Authority tried to do its bit, but the problems still persist in certain areas.

The residents cited double standard being observed by the Authority in maintenance of the sectors with low-cost areas and industrial areas of I-9 and I-10 given least preference as compared to posh sectors.
According to official statistics, there is shortage of about 45,000 housing units in the federal capital, but any concrete steps to overcome the problem, is still a far cry.

Hammad Akhtar, a retired government officer said there are thousands of low grade employees who are still yearning to have their residences in the federal capital since years and the Authority failed to fulfill its words of providing shelter to the low salaried class.

Zameer Abbasi, a real estate agent in sector G-9 said the Authority could not develop any residential sector for last several years and the people are forced to bear sky rocketing housing rentals in the twin cities.

He said the development of residential sectors including I-15, I-14, I-16, D-12 and E-12 is on hold for last several years with still no signs of starting development activities in the near future.

A CDA official, who did not want to be named, said what to talk of new residential units, the civic body even does not pay due attention to the maintenance of the existing housing units in sectors G-7 and G-9, abode to thousands of government officials.

Recently a CDA-hired contractor M/s Pelican Engineering completed the renovation of first block of the secretariat that incurred Rs 37.7 million.
The features of the renovation project are; arrangements for proper record keeping, record security, renovation of floors, ceilings, walls, elevation of parking and creation of reception area.

When contacted, the CDA Spokesperson said, modernization and reorganization of CDA is aimed at delivering services effectively and efficiently to the citizens of the Capital. “It would also improve the physical environment of all CDA employees, irrespective of their grades,” the Spokesperson said.

With the rising population and traffic mess in the Capital, the Authority have to tighten its belts for a bumpy ride ahead as multiple issues are going to confront the Capital residents. Meanwhile the commuters demanded of the Authority carrying out patch-work on Islamabad Highway from Karal Chowk upto Faizabad Interchange which is breaking up rapidly due to ever increasing load and non maintenance.

Source: APP