Key Takeaways
- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to develop a commercial area in Zone III, a protected zone where construction is banned.
- The federal government has granted the 3.8km link road from Park Road to the housing scheme the status of an arterial/major road.
- Residents are barred from building even small houses in Zone III, while the CDA considers regulated commercial development along the new road.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to develop a major commercial area in Zone III of Islamabad, a protected zone where construction activities are prohibited, even for small houses on private land. This move has raised eyebrows among residents and local authorities.
The CDA, through a joint venture with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), is developing the Margalla Enclave in the Kuri area. As part of this project, a 3.8km link road from Park Road to the housing scheme is being developed, with earthwork almost complete. The road passes through Zone III, a protected zone where no construction activities can take place.
To achieve the development of a mega commercial area on both sides of the road, the federal government has granted the road the status of an arterial/major road of Islamabad. This status allows the CDA to apply regulations already notified for major roads in the city, such as the GT Road and the Srinagar Highway, to the 3.8km road.
Residents in Zone III are barred from building even small houses on their land, and they cannot get new electricity connections. Whenever the CDA comes to know about the construction of new houses, its staff rushes to the site to demolish the structure and confiscate construction tools. Such cases have taken place in the Shah Allah Ditta area in the recent past.
In contrast, the CDA is now planning to have a new commercial zone along the road in Zone III. A source said, 'This is quite interesting and double standards. How can construction be allowed for a mega commercial area in Zone III while small houses are banned and people are not allowed to have their own houses on their land?'
The source further stated that the CDA was planning to get the commercial area developed through a joint venture with DHA on the same pattern as Margalla Enclave. The source added, 'Since the federal government is competent to allow any change in zoning regulations, the government has given this road the status of a major road. Therefore, the debate over construction in Zone III has automatically died down, but yes, the issue of the public at large is still undecided.'
The CDA spokesperson, when contacted for the authority’s official version, did not reply to specific questions but shared a notification, stating that it was self-explanatory. The notification stated that the federal government had approved the alignment of the road.
The move has sparked concerns among residents and local authorities, who believe that the CDA’s plans are inconsistent with its own policies. The federal government’s approval has raised questions about the future of construction regulations in Zone III.
The debate over the future of Zone III and the potential commercial development remains unresolved, with the public and local authorities awaiting further clarification from the CDA and the federal government.
This is quite interesting and double standards. How can construction be allowed for a mega commercial area in Zone III while small houses are banned and people are not allowed to have their own houses on their land?
A source, Not specified
Since the federal government is competent to allow any change in zoning regulations, the government has given this road the status of a major road. Therefore, the debate over construction in Zone III has automatically died down, but yes, the issue of the public at large is still undecided.
A source, Not specified
