‘Katchi abadis’ have become challenge for CDA

[LahoreEstate]

Monday, August 03, 2009
Noor Aftab

Islamabad

The existing ‘katchi abadis’ in the capital city continue to pose a grave challenge to the concerned authorities that are yet to find out a viable solution to the trend that is denting the efforts to make Islamabad the beautiful.

According to unofficial data there are 28 ‘katchi abadis’ in Islamabad inhabited by more than 70,000 dwellers in worst living conditions. Under the Urban Shelter Programme the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has acknowledged only 10 ‘katchi abadis’ for provision of all the basic facilities because the national policy introduced by the government does not allow it to facilitate dwellers of those ‘katchi abadis’ set up after March 1985.

In one of the ‘katchi abadis’ selected for relocation, called Haq Bahu, in I-11 sector, the residents rejected the idea of relocation due to unreasonable commuting distance between Alipur Farash and areas of occupation, which can deprive them of their livelihood as most of them work in I-11 fruit and vegetable market.

If CDA that has been facing various kinds of problems in execution of its announced plans for upgradation of the six ‘katchi abadis’ in their existing location and shifting of four others to Ali Pur Farash succeeds in its efforts even then the situation would show little bit improvement because it has no plans for other 18 ‘katchi abadis’, totally disowned by it.

CDA Deputy Director General (Planning) Ghulam Sarwar Sindhu was quite clear in his words during interaction with ‘The News’ when he said that the government policy did not permit them to facilitate dwellers of those slum areas developed after 1985.

“We can do nothing for those ‘katchi abadis’ set up after 1985 because the government policy clearly directs us not to do so in any kind of situation,” he said while pointing out the fact that dwellers of 18 ‘katchi abadis’, disowned by CDA, should not pin any kind of hope on the civic authority.

He said a total of 4,000 plots would be allotted to dwellers of ‘katchi abadis’ being shifted to Alipur Farash, adding over 1,200 houses have so far been constructed by allottees who benefited from the scheme.

Now a question arises whether there would be any win-win situation for the civic managers and dwellers of the ‘katchi abadis’ even after implementation of Urban Shelter Programme in letter and spirit. One can hardly believe that the problem of ‘katchi abadis’ would be resolved once for all because the issue would remain intact unless any new policy is introduced to find out ways and means for its amicable resolution.

Some experts are of the view that it is almost impossible for the government to provide housing facilities to all, so instead of starting from scratch in a flawed system that prevents the success of new low-cost housing schemes, why not first improve the existing low-income housing stock in which many live in dilapidated conditions. But many others do not agree with this idea as they say that it can put hurdles in the way of introducing new public sector housing schemes that are vital to cope with the growing requirements for residential units.

Former president Pervez Musharraf directed on 15 January 2001 that the deserving ‘katchi abadi’ dwellers who have no alternative shelter should not be summarily evicted. The provincial governments were asked to finalise resettlement plans to provide homes for the shelterless. A committee comprising of representatives from various government departments was directed to coordinate with the concerned authorities to implement the directives.

But forced eviction of slum dwellers is still continuing that corroborates the notion that the stronger and more powerful lobby always wins and has its way while the weaker section is marginalised and evicted. To stem the violation of human rights, especially housing rights, it is important to balance the relationship in society. The weaker section of society can be included in the decision making process because if it happens then they will be able to develop plans that suit their situation and capacity.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=191253