ISLAMABAD – Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa has directed officials to immediately seal all buildings constructed on nullahs (drains) in Islamabad that were built without a hydraulic study or CDA’s approval. These buildings will also be declared dangerous.
During a meeting at the CDA Headquarters, Randhawa said that both residential and commercial structures built on drains are illegal and unsafe.
He warned that such buildings are at risk of collapsing during heavy rainfall or flooding, which Islamabad has experienced multiple times since 2001.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing anti-encroachment operations, especially those targeting illegal constructions on government land and over drains. A CDA spokesperson said the drive aims to remove illegal structures and reclaim state land in both residential and commercial areas.
Officials briefed the meeting that different departments, including CDA’s Building and Housing Wing, Enforcement Directorate, Islamabad Administration, Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), and Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI), are jointly working to seal and demolish these encroachments.
— ALSO READ —
Islamabad to introduce tram service on key routes
Randhawa said CDA is taking strict and fair action against all types of encroachments. He also announced that a permanent monitoring system will be introduced to stop illegal structures from reappearing once cleared.
Under this new system, drone footage will regularly monitor sensitive areas. Google Earth will also be used to help in identifying and tracking encroachments.
Senior officials present in the meeting included Member Administration and Estate Talat Mahmood, Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafiz, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and heads of CDA departments related to building control, enforcement, and urban planning.
