CDA starts C-15, C-16 demarcation

[Salman]

CDA starts C-15, C-16 demarcation

ISLAMABAD - The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started work on the demarcation of two residential sectors, C-15 and C-16, to launch them in near future.

CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal, while chairing a meeting, has directed the Planning Wing to complete sectors demarcation within 15 days so that the development may take place without any hiccups.

The CDA board has recently approved the launching of residential sectors giving nod to their layout plans.

According to a senior CDA official, both the sectors would be used for residential purpose as the shortage of houses has swelled to 75,000 units.

The official said after demarcation, the CDA would set up check posts in both sectors to keep the encroachers away from re-settling their structures who usually later claim compensation.

He said the Planning Wing would also conduct a detailed survey of the built-up-properties in C-15 and C-16 to decide their fate either by paying compensation or removing them if found illegal.

The CDA chairman has also visited the sectors and later issued directives in the meeting to the respective formations to execute their tasks within the stipulated time.

He also directed the engineering and environment wings to preserve the water bodies in both the sectors like natural water bodies in the sectors. The chairman also directed the relevant formations to use this water for rainwater harvesting to recharge the underground water table that had been depleting fast.

The official said the sector C-16 would accommodate both the affected people and general public. He said the sector is spread over 4,500 kanals and would provide space for construction of 5,500 housing units, including 2,500 for affected people. Both the sectors would be developed on land-sharing formula under which the CDA would allot the land owners one kanal of developed land against four kanals of un-developed land acquired from them.

The sectors fall near Nicholson Monument that is very close to the GT Road. To link both these sectors with central Islamabad, the CDA has already floated tenders for the construction of multibillion Margalla Avenue Project that would also connect the federal capital with GT Road and Motorway. Since its establishment in 1960s, the CDA could only develop 27 sectors, though its ordinance places housing provision at its top duty.

In the basic layout plan of Islamabad, 60 sectors have been designed for mixed use over 55,000 acres of land. The sectors, which are yet in developing phase, include D-12, E-11, I-14, I-15 and I-16, whereas the land for C 13, 14, 15, 16, D-13, E-13, F-13 and H-16 is yet to be acquired and after being developed, all sectors will provide 30,000 units.