ISLAMABAD: The issue of dumping garbage by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) between I-10 and I-11, causing environmental pollution, was taken up in the National Assembly on Monday.

MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli moved a calling attention notice, inviting attention of the minister for interior and narcotics control toward the `dumping garbage by the CDA between sector I-10 and I-11, resulting in environmental pollution, foul smell, potential groundwater contamination and serious public health risks.In response, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that waste was dumped there, which was not lifted during the last six months, adding now the same is being removed from the site.

`On daily basis, around 700 tonnes is being removed from this site,` he said, adding the place will be cleared soon.

Mr Chaudhry said within three months a proper solid waste depot [transfer station] will start functioning in I-9, before shifting the waste to Loser Rawalpindi.

The minister lamented that residents of Islamabad, including those living along Margalla Road, and F series sectors pay nothing against waste collection. He said that `not a single penny is being paid` by people living even in posh areas of Islamabad and enjoying free service.

He said that globally people pay more for solid waste service than electricity bill, but in Islamabad people even don`t pay against water services. Mr Chaudhry said that those living in one kanal house pay only Rs160 per month, but recoverypercentage is only 10pc.

He said that special focus was being paid on solid waste and CDA, through a Turkish company had recently launched a project to clean Islamabad`s rural areas and collect garbage, providing a longawaited municipal service to residents.

He said in urban area, CDA was currently providing the service but soon an international firm of good repute will be hired for urban areas too. He said that solid waste issue will be solved and CDA will charge solid waste collection fee from residents.

Meanwhile, MNA Naeema Kishwer Khan also moved a calling attention regarding continuous delay in balloting and allotment of residential plots in various sectors, particularly C-15, by the CDA.

Responding to the notice, the state minister for interior confirmed that sector C-15`s balloting faced delay. He, however, said that the sector was launched around two decades back and E-12 was launched in the 80s by CDA. He said thatspecial focus was now being paid on sector development, adding that during the last one month commercial area of sector E-12 was retrieved by CDA worth Rs200 billion.

He said that in C-15, around 60pc development work was already completed and now work will be expedited in this sector, adding that special focus will be paid on all stalled sectors as a dedicated member sector development was being appointed.

He said that after every few months, progress will be made in stalled sector one by one. The minister criticised the role of CDA officials and fake land affected people, stating that in the name of affectees, CDA`s land was encroached upon.

It is relevant to note that in 2008 the CDA through land sharing acquired several sectors, including C-13, C-14, C-15, D-13, E-13, F-13; however, it has failed in clearing compensation cases with balloting of plots mainly against built-up property in several sectors still pending.