Islamabad: Sector I-15 allotees await possession of flats

Habib Asgher

ISLAMABAD: Allottees of Sector I-15 are still denied possession of their plots even after a passage of three years. Around 4500 plots and 8000 flats in Sector I-15 were allotted to citizens in a computerized draw held on Nov 30, 2005. The sector was developed for low income segment of society on special directions of then prime minister. It was decided that the Capital Development Authority would complete development work in two years and hand over plots to the allottees. However, the civic agency has not started development work in the sector yet, The Post has learnt.

It may be mentioned that in Sector I-15 there are around 3000 plots measuring 138.89 square-yards, 1500 of 200 square-yards and 35 plots of 166.67 square-yards while each flat will comprise a 1300 square feet covered area. Instalments for these plots and flats range from Rs 52,000 to 75,000. It is pertinent to mention that almost all the allottees had submitted three instalments against their plots and around Rs 700,000 against their flats. Each apartment costs Rs 1.4 million.

Plots and flats were allotted to people with lower incomes to provide them with a house of their own in the federal capital and they hoped to build their own house after two years. However, the delay has shattered the dreams of those who have paid millions of rupees to the CDA. Now the authority has announced that it would start infrastructure development work in I-15 in May that was earlier set to start in April, as announced by Chairman Kamran Lashari at the inauguration ceremony of 9th Avenue.

The contract to design and develop the sector was given to Al-Khan Construction Company, which was owned by the brother of a former minister. The construction company was unable to start work and later the authority cancelled its contract. It is safe to say that the contract was given under the influence of the minister. Insiders said the contract inflicted huge losses on CDA.

When contacted, CDA Member Planning and Design Brig Nusratullah told The Post that designing work was in the process of final scrutiny and hoped that work on infrastructure development would start in the first week of May. "I will transfer I-15 to the engineering wing within ten days", he said. Then the authority would invite tenders from construction companies in April, he added. He hoped that work would complete within three years.

While talking about status of 8000 flats in I-15, the Member Planning said that the designing work was in process and it would possibly be done by October this year. He however explained that construction of flats was only possible after the construction of approach roads and some of infrastructural facilities at the apartments' site. He said the authority would construct 10-storey buildings at the 120 acres area allocated for 8000 flats. Earlier it was decided to build 4 storey buildings. "Multi-storey buildings will reduce construction cost that has drastically increased", he maintained.

Brig Nusratullah was of the view that construction work on flats would commence in January next year and would be completed in two years. He said that the flats would be built according to the Tunnel Form System that reduces cost. Towers would be constructed under the Zone-III earthquake structure necessities. We have short listed five international companies to award contract of apartments. He however said that the authority would have to get more money from allottees owing to a rapid increase in construction cost as a result of an increase in steel prices and other construction material.

On the other hand allottees of the plots and flats have expressed despair upon the authority's claims and termed them bogus. They seem despaired to have house of their own in the federal capital. Most of the allottees are those who can not afford to pay any further instalments.

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