ISLAMABAD: City managers are planning to establish the first-ever dedicated car bazaar to facilitate car showroom owners, and two sites – one in I-11 sector and the other along Lehtrar Road –have been identified, sources said.

They said both options would be presented before the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board for final approval. However, the sources were of the view that the 33-kanal site along Lehtrar Road was congested compared to I-11 sector. Therefore, the CDA management is likely to opt for I-11 sector option.

“Both sites will be presented before the CDA board which will pick the better option,” an official of the planning wing said, adding that approximately 60 to 80 showrooms would be housed on the proposed site.

Earlier, a committee of CDA officials suggested that a dedicated car bazaar should be set up in the suburban area of Islamabad - on 33 kanals along Lehtrar Road. However, the CDA management was of the view that there were chances of traffic congestion on Lehtrar Road therefore the I-11 sector site should also be reviewed.

Sites in I-11 sector, Lehtrar Road proposed; showrooms to be housed on temporary basis

While explaining the need for establishing a dedicated showroom site, sources in the planning wing said the CDA had sealed showrooms operating on commercial plots due to non-conforming use in various Marakaz of the capital.

They said the operators of the showrooms had filed a writ petition with the Islamabad High Court, which decided in their favour and directed the civic agency to de-seal the showrooms. However, the sources said, the showrooms had occupied the parking lots in commercial areas, which caused inconvenience to various businesses.

The CDA chairman, therefore, directed the planning wing to identify sites exclusively for establishing car bazaars on temporary basis within the sectoral area of Islamabad.

The matter was then taken up in the CDA Board meeting on Oct 5, 2023, and the options of three sites, proposed by the planning wing, were deliberated upon. It was agreed that no permanent structure would be allowed at the site and car parking lot would be used purely on temporary basis. Uniform fibre design and demountable structures would only be allowed with 20pc covered area. The parking lots will be allocated through open auction on rental lease basis.

After due deliberation and information input on the summary, the board principally approved the proposals. However, for viable solution, the board formed a committee under the chairmanship of member planning and design, tasking it to submit a report within two weeks.

The sources said the committee had proposed setting up a car bazaar along Lehtrar Road, but the CDA management, after getting input from various stakeholders, insisted that the road was already a busy artery and setting up showrooms there would add to the traffic load. Therefore, the I-11 sector site was also suggested.

The sources said the matter was on the agenda of the next board meeting likely to be held in the next few days.

They said solar panels would be installed at the site to promote self-sustainable green energy solution to meet the energy requirements of the allocated space.

They further said to provide shelter from weather, entities might be allowed to erect solar panel-based shades, which would contribute to production of green energy and also fulfill the necessary shelter requirements.

According to the proposal, the space for showrooms will be offered on rent-based model, whereby the allottee would be required to pay a monthly rent to the CDA.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2024