Gulistan-e-Sarmast housing balloting finally underway

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Nasir Hussain Shah. PHOTO: FILE

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HYDERABAD:

After a five-year delay, the balloting for over 4,000 plots under Phase IV of the Gulistan-e-Sarmast housing scheme finally took place on Monday in Hyderabad. Launched in 2008, the scheme spans 33,500 plots in the hilly Kohsar town, promising low-cost homes for the city's residents.

LG Minister Nasir Hussain conducted the draw, emphasising that the new Director General of Hyd Development Authority (HDA), Afshan Rubab, has been tasked to complete the scheme's development at the earliest. Earlier, the minister also inaugurated a five million-gallon-per-day lagoon in the town.

According to the DG HDA, 4,085 plots of various sizes were balloted on Monday, expected to generate around Rs2.6 billion in revenue.

The project has faced prolonged delays and scrutiny from courts and the NAB over alleged misallocation of funds. Even after 17 years, proper electrification, water, and gas supply remain incomplete. Earlier in the day, the LG minister also handed over ownership documents to residents of various unplanned settlements under the Sindh Katachi Abadi Authority.