CDA recovers over 2,490 kanals in Anti-Encroachment Drive; 290 Kanals retrieved in E-12

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified its across-the-board campaign to make Islamabad encroachment-free, resulting in the recovery of over 2,490 kanals of valuable state land worth billions of rupees.

The campaign reflects CDA’s commitment to protect public property, enforce planning and building regulations, prevent illegal commercialization of state land and ensure development as per approved master plan.

Among the major achievements is the recovery of more than 1,400 kanals, including the former Muslim Colony, after completion of prescribed legal procedures. A site office was also established to examine legitimate claims of local residents.

In another major phase, CDA recovered over 712 kanals from illegal occupants after serving notices and completing legal formalities.

The Enforcement Directorate also retrieved 320 kanals in Saidpur and adjoining areas of the National Park with the help of satellite-based geo-mapping and digital maps.The recovered land is being planned for environmental restoration and plantation.

Earlier, more than 800 kanals were recovered along with action against illegal constructions on GT Road, Tarnol, Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway.These operations collectively represent over 2,490 kanals of recovered land.

Historic progress has been made in Sector E-12, where approximately 290 kanals have been recovered.

The operation is significant as portions of acquired land were being used for unauthorized commercial renting and private monetization.

In E-12/2 alone, about 16 kanals were retrieved which were being used for private security guards, a holiday home and 14 shops being commercially rented out. After verification of record and completion of legal process, possession was restored and development work resumed.

Residents and allottees of E-12 have welcomed the action, expressing hope that it will accelerate provision of roads, infrastructure and civic facilities.

The drive has also entered an important phase along Islamabad Expressway Service Road East, where Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate, in coordination with District Administration and Police, have launched sealing and regularization operation to ensure compliance with building by-laws, recovery of government dues and fire-safety requirements.

In H-9 and I-9 green belts, Enforcement removed 7 shops, 9 makeshift hotels, 7 rooms, 7 tandoors, 4 washrooms and other illegal structures.

CDA said it is preventing re-encroachment through drone surveillance and digital mapping, and reiterated that enforcement will continue without discrimination.

Its five-point policy is to recover public land, enforce law, prevent re-encroachment, accelerate development and facilitate lawful citizens and investors.Four trolleys of material belonging to encroachers were shifted to the DMA store, while the cleared land was earmarked for environmental and plantation purposes.The coordinated operations demonstrate CDA’s comprehensive approach involving Enforcement Directorate, municipal administration, Building Control, Environment Wing, Planning formations, District Administration and Islamabad Police.

CDA said every kanal recovered is a valuable public asset worth billions that can be restored to its legal purpose rather than being privately exploited.The Authority is preventing re-encroachment through drone surveillance and Google Earth monitoring, and said its objective is not merely enforcement but to accelerate development, facilitate possession for lawful allottees in E-12 and other sectors, and generate economic activity in construction, real estate and services.

Reiterating its five-point policy to recover land, enforce law, prevent re-encroachment, accelerate development and facilitate citizens, CDA said enforcement will continue without discrimination and it remains committed to making Islamabad an encroachment-free, properly planned, environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant capital.