The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to privatise its plant nursery to save resources the authority has been spending on purchase of flowers/plants from the open market, sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday.
The quarter portion of the CDA nursery spread over 13 acres would be privatised on condition that it would provide 50 percent plants and flowers out of its total production free of cost, sources added.
In this connection, nearly 35 private nurseries having vast experience in horticulture field have been pre-qualified and they would be shortlisted soon for awarding the contract.
Sources revealed that the case has been forwarded to the CDA chairman to set the criterion for the interested firms. A 13-acre land of the CDA nursery land was not being utilised at present where flowery species will be grown.
An official said that at least five experienced horticulture firms would be selected through open bidding and they would have to develop required infrastructure including provision of water besides paying annual rent.
When contacted Environment Wing deputy director and in-charge of the CDA nursery Gulzada Khan said we have saved over Rs 4.3 million in purchase/production of flowers seeds during the current fiscal.
For the first time in the CDA's history, the nursery has produced around 0.6 million-flower seedlings in 13 different colours indigenously that are being planted along Jinnah, Constitution Faisal Avenues to give the capital a beautiful look, he added.