FAISALABAD: Traders have voiced serious concerns over the prolonged delay and alleged irregularities in the multi-million-rupee Katchery Bazaar Beautification Project, claiming the scheme remains incomplete more than two years after work began. The project, launched to transform the historic Katchery Bazaar near Faisalabad's iconic Clock Tower into a modern, pedestrian-friendly commercial hub, was intended to improve traffic management, civic amenities and the area's overall appearance. However, traders say the project has become a symbol of poor planning, inadequate supervision and mismanagement.
Key Facilities Missing Despite Crores Spent
Trader Wasiq Mahmood said that despite spending crores of rupees, many essential facilities promised under the project were either incomplete or non-functional. According to traders and local residents, only Civil Defence personnel have been performing night duties over the past two months, despite the deployment of four Civil Defence officials, two PERA Force personnel and two traffic wardens to keep the market free of encroachments and traffic congestion. They alleged that PERA personnel and traffic wardens have largely remained absent, leaving a handful of officials to manage the area.
Public Assets Disappear Without Explanation
Citizens also alleged that several public assets installed under the project, including iron pipes along the green belt corridor, a fire hydrant, related firefighting equipment and nearly five water coolers, have mysteriously disappeared without any official explanation or accountability. Shopper Khalid Ali said several components of the project had fallen into disrepair. He claimed the hydraulic barrier was non-functional, the electric barrier had remained damaged for days, decorative and street lights were out of order, garbage bins were broken, sewer drain slabs had collapsed at several locations, and encroachments continued to obstruct the market.
Water Filtration Plants Not Installed
Residents further alleged that although five water filtration plants were included in the original project, neither the required pipelines were laid nor were the plants installed. They also questioned the quality of construction, pointing to damaged drainage infrastructure despite the project being declared complete. Traders and civil society representatives have demanded a comprehensive forensic and technical audit of the agreement between the district administration and the contractor. They have called for an investigation into the quality of construction materials, payments allegedly made before completion of work, and the disappearance of government-owned equipment.
