RAWALPINDI:
The Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) has implemented a substantial hike in water charges, making drinking water significantly more expensive for residents starting from the new fiscal year.
According to the sources, sanitation charges have also seen a major increase, and development fees for new constructions have been raised. Moreover, seven roads have been added to the commercial zoning area, and new building bylaws have been approved.
These decisions were made during a board meeting held at the Station Headquarters, chaired by President of the Chaklala Cantonment Board, Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz. Vice President Malik Azhar Naeem, Cantonment Executive Officer Amir Rasheed, along with other elected and nominated board members attended the meeting.
Under the revised rates, monthly water charges have seen a significant increase. For 3-marla houses, the charges have risen from Rs300 to Rs450; for 3-5 marla houses, from Rs300 to Rs700; for 5-7 marla houses, from Rs450 to Rs1,000; and for 7-10 marla houses, from Rs750 to Rs1,300. Charges for 10-15 marla houses have increased from Rs900 to Rs1,800; for 15-20 marla houses, from Rs1,125 to Rs2,500; for 20-40 marla houses, from Rs1,500 to Rs5,000; and for houses larger than 40 marlas, the charges have gone up from Rs1,500 to Rs 7,000.
An additional surcharge of 200-250% has been imposed on water charges for residential buildings being used for commercial purposes.
Meanwhile, monthly water charges for commercial water supply connections, such as petrol pumps, banks, service stations, laundries, barber shops, bakeries, ice factories, beauty parlours, cinema houses, hotels, schools, private hospitals, and marriage halls, have increased by 100 to 150%.
The board meeting also approved a significant increase in conservancy and sanitation charges for residents. A 3-marla house that previously paid Rs300 will now be required to pay Rs1,200. According to sources, charges for 3-5 marla houses will rise from Rs300 to Rs2,000; for 5-7 marla houses, from Rs600 to Rs2,600; for 7-10 marla houses, from Rs1,000 to Rs3,600; and for 10-15 marla houses, from Rs1,000 to Rs4,800.
Households that were paying Rs1,600 will now pay Rs6,000; those paying Rs2,200 will pay Rs12,000; Rs2,500 payers will now pay Rs10,000; and those previously paying Rs3,500 will now pay Rs15,000.
A significant increase has also been approved in commercial conservancy charges.
During the meeting, the board approved new commercial zoning within Chaklala Cantonment, designating 95.45% of Old Airport Road as a commercial zone.
