CDA issues letter to commence development of I-15/3.

ISLAMABAD -- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a letter to begin the development of I-15/3, a sub-sector of I-15.

Financial bids to develop another the sub-sector, I-15/4, will also be opened in the next couple of weeks.

CDA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said on Monday that the letter to commence development work has been issued.

Sources said that the development of I-15/3 in the first phase of developing I-15, which has been stalled for some time.

Due to competition between contractors, the CDA has awarded the contract 25pc below the estimated cost of the project.

Due to competition between contractors, authority has awarded contract at 25pc below the estimated cost of the project

CDA officials said that the authority had estimated a cost of Rs1.1 billion, but received a bid of Rs862 million, which is 25pc less than the estimated cost, from a construction firm.

Under the contract, the officials said, the development of I-15/3 will include the construction of roads, sewerage lines, water supply, electrification work, the construction of a major bridge and two service roads.

Sources said that following detailed deliberations, the bid was accepted with an additional bank guarantee as the CDA could face audit objections if it had rejected the bid. Theysaid that the contractor is supposed to complete development work within 18 months.

I-15/3 was launched back in 2005, but fell victim to the CDA's typically slow approach towards developing residential sectors to provide affordable housing to the public. The CDA has not developed a full-fledged sector in 20 years, and its negligence has led to the proliferation of illegal housing schemes and unauthorised construction in Islamabad's rural areas.

In the absence of sufficient housing units in Islamabad, it has become difficult for lower middle class residents to rent homes in the capital. In rural areas such as Bhara Kahu, Tarlai and Taramri, real estate agents...