Understanding Multi Gardens B17’s confusing Geography [ Let’s clear some misconception]

B17 Multi-gardens is a beautiful project of Multi Professional Cooperative Housing Society  (MPCHS) that exists at the western edge of Islamabad. MPCHS is already famous for its highly successful project in E11 which is known as Islamabad-Gardens.  They are also doing a commendable job in F17. Due to its prime location (that connects  KPK, Punjab, Islamabad) and easy approach from Islamabad (due to upcoming Margalla Avenue) and Goodwill of developers (MPCHS)  it has become one of the prime prospect of investment and living.

Geographically, Multi-gardens society is very difficult to understand as everyone refers it as “B17”. The purpose of this blog is to give an understanding of Geographical situation of Multi-Gardens  which is reasonably complicated.

Multi-Gardens Location explaination (click to enlarge). Map source: http://wikimapia.org/#lang=ur&lat=33.649351&lon=72.970848&z=12&m=b

 

Although most of the public  call it “B17 Multi-Gardens”.  In reality, Multi-gardens is a very large project, probably largest in terms of co-operative society projects  that almost covers 12000 kanals. It is divided into six blocks i.e. A,B,C,D,E and F block.  With respect to official Islamabad map: Block A exists in sector “A17”, Block B exists in “B17”. Block C exists partly in “B17” and partly in “B18”. Block D exists in “B18”. Block E and Block F exist in A19. As we all know, Islamabad limit terminates at “17” series sectors i.e. A17,B17,C17,D17,E17,F17,G18,G17 and I17,  Block A (A17), Block B (B17) and Block C (B17/18) comes under the fold of CDA and rest of the blocks i.e. D, E and F are present in Rawalpindi. I have tried to show an approximate location of every block with respect to Islamabad map taken from Wikimedia.

An approximate illustration of Multi-Garden’s blocks vis a vis Islamabad map [closer look] (Click to Enlarge)

Multi-Garden society was launched in two phases i.e. phase 1 and phase 2. Phase-1 comprises of Block A, B and C. Phase-2 (also known as Multi-Garden extension or Multi-Gardens II) comprises of Block D,E and F. Although people generally believe that both phases are located in Islamabad sector B17. But CDA, through a public announcement (given below), clearly stated that multi-gardens II is not located within CDA boundaries. Hence, it is outside Islamabad limits.

CDA Notice regarding societies that exist outside Islamabad limits (Click to Enlarge)

According to CDA website Multi-Gardens Phase 1 was given NOC on 30-01-2008. The map of the Phase 1 on CDA website has all three blocks mentioned (A,B,C). Link: http://www.cda.gov.pk/housing/society.asp?varId=6 . But CDA website marks Multi-Gardens Phase 2 beyond Capital limits. Link: http://www.cda.gov.pk/housing/society.asp?varId=10. It is clearly written: ” Sponsors of the scheme shall obtain Formal NOC from concerned Local Development Agency” (Probably Rawalpindi Development Authority in this case). The F-block map is not yet approved by CDA. Hopefully it will get approved soon like block D and E.

A comparison of Multi-Garden 1 and Multi-Garden 2 from CDA website

This split of Multi-Gardens between Islamabad and Rawalpindi (a society that spans two cities) puts forward an interesting question. Will residents of Block D,E and F have to go to Pindi offices (e.g. Passport office) to get public services? What will be written on their NICs? “Living in Rawalpindi” or “Islamabad”? I tried to ask this question from MPCHS representatives in their G8 office. Although they clearly told me that D,E and F blocks are in Rawalpindi (Taxila) but they refrained to comment on what will be metioned on CNICs 😉 I was also unable to get the answer to the question that why CDA has given NOC to block C (part of Multi Garden 1) despite of the fact that it is partially present in B-18 as according to CDA Islamabad ends at 17 series sectors.

Anyways, Islamabad or not, the society seems to be very serious about developing it’s quality infrastructure as their other projects. They clearly say that it’s going to have “in built modern amenities of a comfortable lifestyle.”

Syed M. Shoaib.