Tightening noose around mighty builders for showing disrespect to building bylaws and not fulfilling the conditions of their agreements, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified its campaign against such violators.
In the latest episode, the CDA has threatened the management of The Centaurus Mall, a famous multi-storey shopping mall and residential tower, of cancelling its lease for not starting the construction of a five-star hotel.
The CDA in August 2005 auctioned a plot, measuring 6.62 acres of land, to M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd for building a five-star hotel as well as commercial and residential towers.
However, after the lapse of 12 years, the five-star hotel could not be constructed owing to which the CDA, on January 26, served a final show-cause notice on M/S Pak Gulf and sought explanation over the inordinate delay. A copy of the CDA letter is available with Business Recorder.
The letter written to Sardar Tanvir Ilyas Khan, Chief Executive Officer of M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd states: "It has been noticed that after lapse of considerable time you have not started the hotel tower which is the integral part of the whole project."
It asked the management of Centaurus "to explain reason of non-execution/ completion of hotel within seven days", or else "strict actions will be taken against you under rules and regulations of CDA."
The CDA sources said if the constriction firm fails to satisfy the civic agency, the Authority can order sealing of building or cancelling the lease agreement. During the last few months, the CDA has cancelled a plot leased out to M/S BNP, the company constructing five-star Grand Hyatt Hotel and 37-storey twin residential towers, besides sealing the Safa Gold Shopping Mall, Sector F-7, for nonconforming with the bylaws as well as certain violations of rules. Earlier on January 20, The CDA's Building Control Section (BCS) wrote a letter to M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd to provide 26 documents and remove 15 violations of building bylaws.
Regarding violations, the CDA's letter said that M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd constructed one basement and four stories as well as 25 apartments without approval. The letter said that commercial use of mezzanine basement for Al Fatah Shopping Mall is unauthorised for which the CDA's deputy commissioner has already imposed fine on the management.
Likewise, Monal Downtown has been established in plant room area which is not allowed and required to be removed, the letter stated. In addition, the letter said that M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd established security room, stores and small kiosks in violation of approved building plan.
The CDA's BCS asked the construction firm to submit clearance from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), engineers, firefighting experts, architects and other relevant directorates of the civic agency to acquire completion certificate.
The CDA leased out 32,040 square yards to M/S Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd at a total cost of Rs 6 billion for construction of hotel, shopping area and residential apartments. The firm completed the shopping mall and residential apartments whereas the construction of five-star hotel has not yet begun.
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