CDA in shambles due to financial crunch

* Civic body fails to start work on over 50 projects pending for last three years

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is in shambles due to financial crunch, as it management has failed to start work on over 50 projects pending for last three years.

This situation is resulting in escalation of these projects’ cost and the sufferings of the citizens are increasing.

According to sources, over 50 projects regarding roads, environment, water supply, sewerage lines and others are pending for the last year. On February 28, 2008 during a board meeting headed by former chairman Kamran Lashari it was decided to construct an interchange on 9th Avenue and Kashmir Highway and grant of Rs 24 million was also released. The meeting also decided to construct an intersection on Khayaban-e- Suhrawardi and Kashmir Highway on 7th Avenue Chowk besides upgradation of Margazar zoo with Rs 1340 million.

When the CDA managements announced the budget 2008-09, it claimed that development work of 11th Avenue will be started soon, but it could not be started even after three years. It is basic responsibility of CDA to launch new sectors, but it also failed to do so and now the management has been once again claiming that new sector will be announced before end of New Year.

Kuri solid waste project worth of Rs 600 million has become an issue for the management, as the authority have no funds to start the work, while on the other hand residents of the nearby areas are not ready to vacate the land.

CDA had also announced to computerise the record of the civic body, but so far it could not be done. Former member administration Mustafain Kazmi was allegedly transferred due to this project. CDA had announced to construct a Media Tower in the Blue Area and car parking towers in the city but these projects also could not be materialized to address the basic problems of the citizens.

Saidpur model village project could not be completed even after 10 years. Sports Club was announced in sector G-8 but could not be completed. CDA announced a project to construct flats in G-11 but that project is also pending. Project of new Islamabad Club is also one of the projects, which are only in files.

Sources said in past CDA sold plots at higher rates due to which it was possible to launch those projects, but at the moment there is no buyer in the market. In past a plot near Convention Centre measuring five acres was sold for Rs 4.7 billion, but now a day if CDA would try to sale out such plots the authority would not get even a single buyer.

In the past CDA decided to construct a wall on the banks of Swan River to avoid floods during monsoon season but this project is also pending. Former chairman Kamran Lashari had announced Margalla Hill National Project and released Rs 39 million for PC 1 but project is still pending.