Zero Point Interchange Project report

[LahoreEstate]

CDA’s inability puts decades-old pine trees survival in danger

ISLAMABAD: The decades-old pine trees are under threat, as Capital Development Authority (CDA) still lacks any equipment to relocate large trees, impeding the construction of Zero Point Interchange (ZPI).

According to a CDA official linked with the project, ZPI contractor has long been demanding removal of the trees from the site, opposite to Zarai Taraqqiati Bank Limited, as they are hindering the construction of link road between Faisal Avenue and Kashmir Highway.

As many as 150 trees are standing tall on the project area and their removal is needed as early as possible, but unfortunately CDA lacks machines to re-locate them, said the official.

He said the authority had imported two transplanters but unfortunately they were capable of transplanting small trees. The authority high-ups have long been talking about the import of the machine but it is yet to be done, he added.

He said the contractor had also made effort to save the trees so that minimum number of trees could be transplanted from the site.

“They should have transplanted trees even before launch of the project. If CDA is not capable enough to do so, they should hire some private parties,” said the official.

When questioned about any plan to hire private parties, the official said, “We are not yet confirmed whether any private company in Pakistan also has such transplanter.”

The other impediment, he said were the power transmission lines of WAPDA, for which CDA had received demand draft of Rs 90 million that the authority was unable to pay during the current fiscal year.

However, he said the matter had already been discussed and CDA would pay the money in installments.

The official said if the authority removed all impediments, the contractor would open three to four roads by June this year.

He said almost 26 percent work on the project had been completed while the remaining would be completed within the stipulated time.

He said PC-1 of the expansion of Kashmir Highway and Islamabad Highway up to Peshawar Mor and Faizabad respectively would shortly be sent to the Planning Commission as ECIL has already completed the design.

The official said CDA chairman had observed that it would look awkward if five and six lane road merges into a three or two lane road and it would lead to traffic congestion. app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_2