CDA embarks on ‘mission impossible’

[Salman]

CDA embarks on ‘mission impossible’


The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday gave a seven-day deadline to encroachers, traders and market associations for removal of encroachments from markets otherwise action would be taken.



The warning before embarking on the ‘mission impossible’ has been issued under a comprehensive plan chalked out on the orders of Prime Minister’s Task Force on Islamabad Chairman Faisal Sakhi Butt, who has directed the CDA Enforcement Wing to carry out phased operations across the city for removal of encroachments from all markets of Islamabad.



In this connection, the CDA has decided to give a seven-day public notice through the media to all encroachers, traders and representatives of market associations asking them to remove all kinds of encroachments on their own, failing which the CDA Enforcement Wing would eradicate encroachments and confiscate goods encroaching the CDA land.



As Faisal Sakhi Butt has given strict orders for removal of encroachments, he would also have to monitor the whole operation closely.



It is feared that the enforcement staff would spare influential traders who are occupying open spaces in front of their shops in shopping areas like Markaz G-9, Aabpara Market, Melody Market, Super Market and Jinnah Super Market and the only target would be the poor.

Faisal Sakhi Butt asked the CDA to seek permanent solution to the menace of encroachments in consultation with traders and other stakeholders.

He said that cooperation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and other relevant organisations should be sought to reinforce the efforts of the authority in this regard.

Faisal Sakhi Butt said the mushroom growth of encroachments are painting ugly look of capital city, which does not corresponds to the standards of a modern capital like Islamabad.

He said that cleanliness in markets is not up to the mark and a lot of improvement is required. He directed the concerned formations of the authority to overcome the problem of encroachments and enhance the standards of cleanliness.

He said the government would make all possible efforts to keep the city tidy; however, cooperation of all segments of society is vital to make these initiatives successful.

He said that it was collective responsibility to keep houses, streets and sectors clean that would enable us to transfer this asset of clean Islamabad to the next generation.

He said that the ill planned and the haphazardly throwing of litter and waste is posing serious health problems as well as promoting unhygienic conditions. This also causes pollution and sanitation issues, which add to the many of the other environmental problems.
Faisal Butt said that he will carry out frequent visits to different areas of the city and would physically inspect the standards of the civic amenities being provided to the citizens.