slamabad: No headway in G-12 project planned in 70s

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Delay further aggravating land possession issue and encroachment problems

By Ikram Junaidi

Capital Development Authority (CDA) could not implement its project of launching sector G 12 even after 30 years. On the other hand the menace of encroachments is spreading such as a mushroom.

The unplanned inhabitation, besides other problems, is contaminating underground water reserves, as there is no sewerage system. With the passage of time not only the chances to evacuate the land are minimizing also cost of the project is increasing. According to sources, CDA management decided to launch sector G-12 in late 70s. In 1984 plan of the sector was approved and map was prepared. According to map 4000 residential plots were created. Plots for apartments, Schools, Community Centers, Shopping Centers and Mosques were also planned.

It was decided that water would be supplied to the sector from Khan Pur Dam. The civic agency then was committed to launching the sector. Land was acquired from the local residents of the area in 1989 and later they were declared affectees. Ever since that CDA showed no commitment of evacuating the land and developing it due to which affectees begun encroaching the land. The encroachments now have become Frankenstein's monster.

Though section 144 has been imposed by the district administration against building any structure the encroachment continues unchecked to date. CDA moved at several occasions but due to alleged involvement of the officials the agency was totally incapable of getting rid of the encroachers.

The sources claimed had the project been launched in late 80s or early 90s it would have completed at the cost of Rs 2 billion but at the moment CDA requires at least Rs 10 million to complete the project of sector G 12. At the moment plot measuring 30X60 feet is selling for Rs 10,00,000. That the buyers are in know that they are purchasing an encroached land shows that they have no threat from CDA. As district administration has imposed a ban on the transfer of land dealers do the agreement on stamp papers.

As the residents of encroached land use hand pumps to acquire drinking water that is contaminated various diseases of liver and stomach are on rise in the area. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Assistant Director and a stomach specialist Dr Wasim Khuwaja warned that sewerage water contaminates the under ground water and if underground water is used for drinking it would cause Hepatitis and other diseases especially stomach-related diseases.