ISLAMABAD: A citizen-friendly initiative proposed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to provide pre-approved buildingplans toresidentshasfaced aninordinate delay.
In September 2023, the CDA board, in a bid to eliminate the cumbersome process of getting building plans approved by the authority’s Building Control Department, had directed the introduction of preapproved building plans for residents.
The board had directed the relevant wings of the CDA to prepare a booklet within eight weeks, containing approved designs for various plot sizes. The booklet was to be made available online so that residents could select a design of their choice with a single click.
However, the task, which was supposed to be completed in eight weeks, remains unfin-ished despite the passage of more than three years.
‘There is something fishy behind this delay. I guess some officials within the CDA are not interested in this people-friendly initiative,’ said a CDA official, who requested anonymity.
The issue was highlighted last year as well, but the CDA has yet to take action.
The board had taken the decision following complaints about delays in the approval of building plans.
The then CDA Chairman, Anwarul Haq, had received several complaints regarding delays in the approval process. Consequently, he presented the matter before the board, suggesting the introduction of pre-approved designs to facilitate citizens.
Mr Haq was reportedly informed that applicants not only faced delays but also encountered unreasonable objections from some CDA officials.
Sources said that when the matter was presented at a board meeting, the CDA chairman argued that pre-approved building plans were needed to provide relief to citizens and eliminate alleged corruption.
The board unanimously approved the initiative and directed that the task be completed within eight weeks.
The CDA board had also decided that thefee for the pre-approved plans would be determined after consultation with the Finance Wing.
However, the initiative remains incomplete.
A few months ago, in response to a query, the CDA stated, ‘CDA is working towards operationalising this initiative. In this connection, Member Planning and Development has directed the Building Control and Housing Section (BCS) to work out the requisite software and hardware requirements for the system.’ When contacted twice on Sunday, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said he would respond after obtaining input from the relevant officials.
Meanwhile, the CDA website, when checked on Sunday, carried no information about the initiative.
It is relevant to note that the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which probed the One Constitution Avenue scam, had proposed several reforms at the CDA. Among other recommendations, it had suggested that officers should not remain posted for long periods in lucrative wings such as Building Control, which deals with the approval of building plans, Estate, Planning and Enforcement.
However, several officers have been serving in these wings for a long time.