Builders use roads as fiefdoms, CDA remains apathetic to citizens’ woes

The scores of under construction plazas in Sector G-11, G-13, G-14, F-11, D-12, E-11 and other markets of Islamabad are leaving their construction material including crush, bricks, cement, mounds of sands, steel and machinery on the on nearby pavements or on the sides of the road which is not only denying citizens right of passage but is also endangering their lives.

The federal capital has seen a boom in the construction business, both in residential and commercial projects for more than a decade. The plots in the main markets are auctioned by CDA to the highest bidder. Recently CDA has auctioned plots worth over Rs 4 billion. However, when it comes to keeping a check on the builders and making sure that they follow CDA regulations, the resolve of the civic authority seems lacking.

“I’ve been living here since 1997,” said Ali Mufti, an economist, while talking to Pakistan Today. “The population of sector was less than 500 people at the time. Then, people started moving in and within a decade G-11 became a fully developed sector with all the attending amenities. The markaz was a collection of two or three plazas in the beginning but in recent years more than a dozen plazas have popped up. Many of them are constructed in less than three months. The construction material of these plazas has been left on the roads which makes it difficult for the customers to pass and also damages the roads and pavements near the construction site.”

He said the CDA should take action in this regard and stop the builders from leaving construction material at random places.

The new sectors of G-13 and G-14 also present a dismal picture as massive construction continues both in the residential and commercial areas with little regard for the passersby. The F-11 sector, one of the posh sectors of the capital, is no different. The mounds of crush and tonnes of steel can be seen on the sides of the roads as many plazas are currently under construction in F-11 Markaz.

Due to careless handling of material many roads and pavements have become unusable as they have become congested and clogged. The manholes have been damaged, sewerage lines broken and access of the people seriously compromised.

When contacted for a comment, CDA Deputy Director and spokesman of the civic agency Malik Saleem said that the sanitation and environment wing send challans of those who violate CDA’s regulations and then the CDA magistrate fines them and issues them a warning.

“We take due action as and when such issues come to our knowledge. We have a uniform policy in tackling the violations and will take strict measures to counter them,” he said.