| ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board was stunned on Tuesday after an inquiry report revealed that the civic body officials in 2010-11 decided to alter the plans to set up a landfill site in Kuri without any “cogent reasons”.
On the recommendation of an international consultant, the decision to establish a permanent dumping ground in Kuri locality was taken after a public hearing on the issue. The CDA had also constructed a road to the said site in light of the proposed dumping ground.
However, the decision was abruptly changed by civic body officials citing purported “environmental” issues.
It was alleged at the time that the civic body wanted to “appease some landlords” who wanted to set up housing societies in the vicinity of the proposed landfill site.
The failure to establish the Kuri landfill site is still causing problems for the civic agency, as it has been shifting its temporary sites from one place to another.
Currently, the CDA shifts garbage to a transportation station in I-11 before disposing it of at Losar Chak Beli under a stopgap arrangement with the Rawalpindi Development Authority.
Meanwhile, in its quest for a permanent dumping site, the CDA through its consultants is considering various sites for the purpose. The CDA board meeting chaired by its chairman also mulled options for a new landfill site. At least seven options, including Kuri, were discussed, but the board members sought further briefing about these at the next meeting.
According to a board member, there was some missing information about these sites and “we decided to get a briefing in the next meeting by a consultant”.
During the meeting, the administration wing of the civic agency said an inquiry was conducted to find out why the landfill site was not established in Kuri.
The report pointed out that the site was changed without any “cogent reasons”. It also pointed out negligent officers responsible for the change of plans. However, the CDA board decided that before moving forward, the then-member planning would be contacted to share the reasons for refusing to set up the site in Kuri.
“Yes, the administration wing in the board meeting shared the finding of the recently concluded inquiry report, which stated that without any cogent reasons [proposed] Kuri site was changed. We decided to take up this issue again after getting input from the then-member planning,” a board member said.
It is relevant to note here, the Islamabad High court will hear a case regarding the landfill site next month and CDA is required to submit its reply about the steps taken to set up a proper site.
The board also took up a summary that sought approval for a contract with the Rawalpindi Waste Management Committee (RWMC) under section 42 (f) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority’s rules. It also approved the NOC for the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) to set up an economic zone near Rawat. The board had approved the request of BOI/SEZA for the issuance of an NOC for land acquisition near Rawat.
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2023 |
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