ISLAMABAD: Development of new sectors has become a bane for the city managers who held yet another meeting on Monday with new commitments to settle the issue.

Presiding over a meeting to review the development progress in various sectors, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa directed the engineering wing to make maximum progress so that the authority startsissuing possession letters to allotteesinfoursectorsbythe endofthis fiscal year.

The four sectors are sectors C-14, E-12 (two sub-sectors), I-12 and C-16 (two sub-sectors).

A participant of the meeting said the chairman directed that pending development work in two sub-sectors of E-12 should be completed as soon as possible and tender be called for the remaining two-sub sectors as well.

The meeting also approved an anti-encroachment operation in sector E-12.

Itis relevant tonote here that the sector was launched by the CDA in 1989 and despite passage of 36 years, the allottees are still waiting to get possession oftheir plots.

The meeting was told that development work in sector C-14 was on the right track and was continuing with full pace.On the other hand, development work in two sub-sectors of C-16 is underway while land awards of the remaining two sub-sectors is pending. The meeting was also informed that work in sector I-12 is continuing and will be expedited.

However, the meeting did not focus on discussing the issue of the slow progress of work in sectors C-15 and I-15.

Development work in sector C-15 had started several years ago but due to non-release of allotment letters of the built-up property (BuP) cases in accordance with the awards announced in 2016, the CDA is facing land possession issue in some areas of the sector.

Development work in one of the sub-sectors of I-15 also remains pending.

`An important meeting was chaired by the CDA chairman to review the latest progress on ongo-ing projects, challenges, and future strategies for developmental works in various sectors of Islamabad in order to meet the residence requirements of the citizens of Islamabad, the pressrelease said.

The meeting was attended by CDA board members, senior officers from the engineering and estate wings, and officers from relevant wings,` it added.

The press release further stated that the chairman was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing development activities, especially in C-14 sector.

He directed officials concerned to ensure completion of all development work, including roads, drainage and sewerage system, streetlights and the handover of residential plots to residents by June this year.

`Emphasis was placed on providing overseas Pakistanis with allbasic amenities, issuing demand notices for utilities and expediting payment processes. Instructions were also issued to install modern solar streetlights in new sectors and enhance the beauty of these areas through horticulture, landscaping and tree plantation,` the press release went on to say.

It said that during the briefing, it was informed that over 50pc of road infrastructure work in Sector E-12 had been completed.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa instructed strict action against land grabbers and encroachers and warned against any leniency in this regard.

The phased handover of plots after the completion of all development work and clearance of development charges was also approved during the meeting.

It was also decided that the process for allocation of amenity plotsin new sectors for mosques, schools, and hospitals should be started.

The engineering wing was directed to share weekly drone footage of the development works on CDA`s official website and social media platforms. Additionally, informative signboards must be installed on all plots and roads for public convenience.

`Chairman CDA stressed accelerating development projects to meet the June deadline,` read the press release, adding that the chairman emphasised ensuring immediate handover of plots to owners after the payment of development charges.

He directed that all issues related to built-up properties be resolved on a priority basis and that he would personally monitor development activities in new sectors to ensure citizens receive high-quality facilities.