MCI, CDA without sufficient funds to rebuild H-9 market

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) or the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) does not have enough funds to restore the Weekly Bazaar set up by the MCI near Peshawar Morr in Sector H-9.

Earlier on Wednesday, 109 stalls had been destroyed by fire which had engulfed the Bazaar.

Speaking to Pakistan Today, Industrial Assistant Commissioner (AC) Wasim said, “This does not fall under the Islamabad Capital Territory’s (ICT) administration, it is under the CDA Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA).”

“I was there the entire time after the incident happened and the chief commissioner has constituted an inquiry committee that will probe into the incident’s causes and also provide suggestions to avoid such incident in future,” the AC said.

CDA DMA Chief Metropolitan Officer (CMO) Najaf Iqbal told Pakistan Today, “We do not have enough funds to restore the market.”

“We only receive Rs1000 as monthly rent from each shop while their cost ranges from Rs4,500,000 to Rs5,000,000,” the CMO added.

CMO Iqbal also said, “The CDA has constituted a committee which will be headed by the CDA director security.”

“The committee’s report will also reveal the extent of damage in monetary terms and before the report is made, it is not possible to estimate the damage,” the CMO added.

“Owners of the shops have agreed to rebuild their stalls themselves,” CMO Iqbal further stated.

It had taken four hours by the district administration along with the fire brigade and the CDA staff to control the fire.

About 10 water tankers along with 150 firefighters took part in the rescue operation and controlled the fire successfully.

Last year in August, the same section where Landa Bazaar shops are located selling old clothes and shoes had a blaze.

As a result, scores of stalls were reduced to ashes with over Rs 200 million financial damage.

Built back in 2007 at a cost of Rs160 million, the H-8 bazaar is largest of its nature in Islamabad and spans over an area of 10 acres and multiple sections where fruits, vegetables, household items of the daily use, old imported clothes and shoes, electronics and other items are on sale.

It is pertinent to mention here that the inquiry report of the fire that engulfed the market in August 2017 still hasn’t surfaced.