CDA Fined Rs. 5 Million Over Delayed Clearance Of Japanese Sanitation Vehicles

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad faces a Rs. 5 million penalty from Karachi Port after 18 Japanese sanitation vehicles donated for the city's cleaning operations remain stuck at the port due to clearance delays. The CDA is said to have faced a financial penalty from the port authority over the issue. The donated vehicles, intended to support sanitation services, were initially received last month and were expected to assist in cleaning the capital.

An assistant director responsible for the clearance process had also taken leave, causing the delay. No action has been taken yet against the officials responsible for the delay. The allegations also point towards CDA's broader management of its sanitation fleet, where around 60 government-owned vehicles are available but nearly 30 have remained unused for five years.

To bring these vehicles back into operation, it would cost around Rs. 30 million, while sanitation transportation services have continued to be outsourced to private contractors. The sources also raised concerns about a private company established by two ex-officers of the Sanitation Department, which has been operating around 60 field vehicles monthly at a cost of Rs.

90 million for over five years. It's alleged that the father of a current CDA officer owns the company and some CDA officials hold shares in it. The arrival of the Japanese vehicles could potentially impact existing private transportation contracts, leading to questions of a possible conflict of interest. However, the exact reasons for the delay and responsibility for the penalty have not been officially determined.