The Capital Development Authority (CDA) kicked off construction work to install three see-through gates to prevent the entry of possible protesters into the Red Zone without floating any tenders for the process.
However, some CDA officials requesting anonymity questioned the move. According to them, how could a firm start construction work on the project without getting assurances and favors from the civic agency.
CDA Director Road Tahir Mahmood explained that the work was started at Nadra Chowk through internal arrangements. He said that the proper work would be started after the tendering process.
The CDA will install see-through entry gates at three locations Nadra Chowk, D-Chowk, near Serena Hotel ahead of the expected protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-i–Insaf (PTI) in the Red Zone later this month. The gates will be open on normal days, but the authorities would close them in case of protests.
The CDA officials further said that the initiative was not only intended at countering the PTI marchers but would also help deal with similar protests in the future.
In addition, CDA sources further informed that the design work of the gates has been done and the gate near Serena Hotel would be 100 feet wide, the gate near D-Chowk would be 90 feet wide, and the one at Nadra Chowk would be 105 feet wide.
Responding regarding the cost of the project, he stated that the final estimation was being finalized, however, another officer was of the opinion that the project would roughly cost over Rs30 million depending on the scope of work.
In a related development, the CDAs engineering wing has started the initial work on the construction of a road in the extended area of the Diplomatic Enclave without the tendering process. However, the director road stated that the initial work of removing bushes and clearing alignment has been started through internal arrangements.