ISLAMABAD: The revival of the historical Covered Market in G-6 is on the cards as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) conducted a final hearing on the proposed changes to the bylaws of the market.
Sources in the CDA said a meeting between the leaseholder, area residents and the civic agency was held recently.
The participants agreed that a groundplus one storey would be allowed in the market.
‘Minutes of the final meeting are yetto be issued. But, yes, during the discussion it was almost agreed that ground plus one storey will be allowed,’ said a participant of the meeting.
Earlier, the CDA wanted to construct a multi-storey building on the plot originally earmarked for a single-storey, inward-oriented historical Siraj Covered Market. However, the civic agency before taking any decision held discussions with the area residents.
The market was designed by a British architect and the CDA got it constructed as a signature single-storey zigzag type inward market before leasing it to Mr Siraj in 1966. However, in a dubious and controversial move, the civic agency in 2007 made a post-lease change to its building and allowed the construction of a multi-storey market. The new leaseholder, without wasting time, demolished the historical single-storey market to take full advantage of CDA’s generous offer of multi-storey, wiping out the traces of one of the prominent landmarks of the federal capital.The CDA had allowed the leaseholder 100pc ground coverage with the floor area ratio of 1:4 and ground-plus three storeys and two basements for parking.
However, local residents opposed the CDA move and took the matter to Supreme Court.
That move compelled the CDA to backtrack as the court restrained it from making changes to the bylaws. Since then, the plot has been lying vacant, depriving the citizens of the market facility for daily routine items.
Interestingly, the market was located along the single narrow service road namely Begum Sarfraz Iqbal Road, which leads toward the Prime Minister Secretariat from Melody side.
Last year, before seeking public opinion, the matter was placed before the CDA board and the planning wing in its summary surprisingly did not inform the board that the market was constructed by the CDA itself before leasing it out in 1966. The planning wing proposed new bylaws, seeking the board’s approval forconstruction of a 7-8-storey structure with 50pc ground coverage, FAR 1:4, and a basement for parking only.
However, sources said the board had directed that building bylaws can’t be finalised without public consultation and objections should be invited and ‘after the conclusion of public hearing and legal review, the matter shall be resubmitted before the CDA board for a final decision.
In his summary, the then member planning had informed the board that a ‘plot measuring 8670 square-yard located in G-6/3’ was leased to Ch.
Sirajuddin and others in the year 1966.
The lease was for 30 years, which expired in 1996 and was extended for a second term till October 2026.
Sources said in the latest hearing it was stated that ground-plus one storey and lower ground and basement in parking should be allowed.
‘The matter will be presented before the CDA board for final approval,’ said an officer of CDA.