CDA holds consultation on Zone IV master plan today

STaff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has invited parliamentarians, representatives of non-government organisations (NGOs) and the press to suggest major changes in the Zone IV master plan.

Environmentalists are also been invited to a day-long consultation session today (Saturday) to debate on several issues like agro farms in Zone IV, measures to control environmental pollution emitting from brick kilns, steps for saving water reservoirs from pollution, and illegal constructions in Zone IV.

Final recommendations regarding the Zone IV master plan will be presented to the CDA Board by the end of June or the first week of July after incorporating suggestions by the general public, NGOs, town planners and other stakeholders, sources said.

The detailed study of the Zone IV master plan was to be submitted in the second week of April but was delayed after CDA directed consultants to consider public suggestions as well before finalising the study, sources added. Mott McDonald Pakistan (MMP), a London-based consultant firm, was awarded a contract in February last to review the existing master plan of Islamabad and conduct Zone IV’s study.

The foreign company had also been asked to thoroughly review the original document of the master plan prepared in 1960 and submit the detailed report within five months.

Under the Zone IV master plan, consultants will regularise about 70,000 to 80,000 acres located in the vicinity of Faizabad, Muree Road, Lohi Bher, Lehtrar, Alipur Farash, Taramri, Chak Shahzad and other adjoining areas. The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration and CDA had framed (Zoning) Regulation in 1992 for these areas.

According to the Zoning Regulation 1992, the area shall be reserved for projects of public and national importance like sports and recreation, green belt, orchards and farming schemes, nurseries on modest scale and housing schemes for the rehabilitation of people affected by the plan.

Unfortunately the entire Zone IV has been converted into industrial and residential hub of the federal capital and therefore it is needed to revise the master plan before framing new policies for these areas, sources said.

As per official agreement, consultants are assigned extensive study of matters relating to land acquisition, water shortage and its supply from Indus or Jhelum river, Zone IV, transportation, mega development schemes, unauthorised buildings/constructions and other civic problems expected in the near future.

The Greek planners had prepared the original master plan in early 1960’s. The decision to review the plan was taken to give Islamabad a major facelift in view of emerging civic needs.

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