CDA begins operation to take possession of E-12 after three decades.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday began an operation to take possession of its land in E-12, where people have been allotted plots but have waited 30 years to receive possession of them.

Backed by police and the Islamabad Capital Territory administration, CDA teams carried out an operation that only targeted vacant land and did not demolish any building.

According to Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, 80 kanals of land in E-12 has been retrieved for sector development. Another 1,000 kanals will be taken over in the next few days.

The CDA sold plots to 4,099 buyers in 1989 but has failed to deliver them to buyers because they could not move local landowners from the area to begin development work after clearing their pending dues and compensation.

Sources said the chairman, Amer Ali Ahmed, admonished the enforcement and land directorates for failing to take over CDA land in this sector and decided to launch an operation a few days ago.

CDA spokesperson Syed Safdar Ali said that on the first day, the CDA only targeted vacant land. He added: 'Our operation will continue and we will take possession of our land to start developing the sector.'

The CDA made a half-hearted attempt to begin an operation in E-12 a few months ago but turned back after resistance from local residents.

This time, the teams began by taking over vacant areas. But many CDA officials believe that until development work begins getting possession of the land will not be of any use as the locals will take over the abandoned land again after some time.

'Getting possession of the land is not an issue. Out of a total of around 5,500 kanals we can take possession of a significant chuck of land without facing any resistance, but development work needs to be started to avoid encroachment in the...