Durrani wants work on stalled housing projects

[Salman]

Durrani wants work on stalled housing projects


ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani on Wednesday directed the authorities to resume construction and development work on Bhara Kahu and Kurri Road housing projects.

Expressing concern over delay in its completion, he called for removing the irritants immediately. The government, he said, was keen on providing housing facilities to the masses.

Mr Durrani visited both the schemes where he was told that 588 housing units were being built in Kurri Road project by the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF), and 3200 residential plots being developed in Bhara Kahu by the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF).

The minister said that efforts would be made to provide accommodation to the maximum number of people and vowed to monitor and scrutinise progress of the on-going projects in other cities, as well.

Mr Durrani was further told that the Kurri Road project was started in 2012 with a completion target of 18 months. However, the project had to be stopped midway because of some differences between the contractor and the department. The minister said that public trust can only be restored by finding out a solution to the problem for which all stakeholders should sit together.

Cooperation from both sides was must he said and hoped work on Kurri Road project would begin within this month.

The minister was informed that land measuring 3100 kanals was acquired and transferred in the department’s name for the Bhara Kahu project. While, this project was initiated in 2009 but was stopped because of litigation regarding payments to the contractor.

Expressing dismay over a delay of five years, he said there wasn’t any room for further delays. He also agreed to address contractors’ reservations.

Contractors of both the projects too, assured their full cooperation and assistance.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2014