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Islamabad to have network of new parks

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: In addition to several development projects and the beautification campaign of Islamabad, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started setting up a network of parks throughout the city.

The parks will offer a clean environment and space for healthy activities in all parts of the city. However, while this drive for new parks is on, the previously built community centres are still awaiting the CDA’s attention for maintenance.

The CDA set up 25 children’s play areas, costing Rs 9 million, in 2004. Five of these 25 areas have been demolished as they were obstructing the 7th, 9th and 10th avenues.

CDA Parks Director Malik Abid told Daily Times that 73 new parks had been set up in the city at an average cost of Rs 2 million each, while another 25 were underway. “We plan to complete 31 parks by next month,” he said.

He claimed that the CDA would develop 174 parks this year and that some parks would be near the main drains. Abid was confident that the new parks would be well-maintained. “Our staff responds quickly to public complaints. In addition, they also visit these parks regularly to check the maintenance required,” he said. On a normal day, about eight to 10 complaints were made regarding park maintenance and the CDA tried to address all these complaints, he said. He also appealed to people to take care of parks and avoid damaging them.

People welcome the new parks hoping that they don’t end up like the old parks, due to poor maintenance. “It is nice to have a good park in front of my house with playing facilities for children and a walking track for the elderly. I appreciate the CDA’s role in providing people with these facilities, but I am also worried about the maintenance of these parks,” said Muhammad Razzaq, a Sector G-9 resident.

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