ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa on Saturday directed restoration of the gutted stalls at the H-9 Bazaar at the earliest.

He also directed the officials concerned to reconstruct Siraj Covered Market, one of the first markets of the city, at its own location but with induction of advanced technology and facilities.

According to a CDA spokesperson, Mr Randhawa directed the CDA to restore stalls of H-9 Bazaar and devise a standard operating procedure (SOP) to avoid chances of any future fire in the bazaar.

On July 10, a massive blaze at the weekly bazaar gutted 625 shops causing damages worth millions of rupees.

It took 31 fire trucks almost three hours to put out the flames.

The weekly bazaar held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday has 2,743 stalls and 625 of them were gutted.

The fire started only a little after a heavy spell of rain lashed the capital.

The timing of the fire raised many an eyebrow with the CDA chief forming an inquiry committee to probe the incident.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the civic body directed to restore the Siraj Covered Market at G-6. Siraj Covered and Aabpara markets were the first in the federal capital. The former was fully covered with a concrete roof but was demolished by the CDA over a decade ago.

Mr Randhawa also ordered to restore the dancing fountain in Lake View Park and suggested to establish some new fountains.

He visited various ongoing projects along with officers of relevant formations.

During a visit to the under-construction Islamabad Model Jail, he directed that the work should be completed at the earliest.

The engineering wing of the CDA was told to monitor the construction work.

He also visited C-16 and expressed his satisfaction on the progress of ongoing development work in C-16/3 and C-16/4. He directed that the problem of built property should be resolved immediately.

He also visited C-14 and told the officials to complete work on road network, drainage system, by September 20.

He said action will be taken against the consultant for negligence in quality standards.

He said that construction activities in and around Margalla Hills National Park should be stopped immediately.

He also inspected the Park Road expansion project and showed dissatisfaction on the pace of work.

At the stray dog population control centre, the CDA chief directed the officials to take better care of the dogs being kept there.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2024