Inquiry finds Kuri landfill site changed without 'cogent' reasons.

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...