Rainwater inundates three model bazaars

RAWALPINDI:

Torrential rain that began on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday submerged three Punjab government Model Bazaar Beautification Projects in the twin cities - Fawara Chowk Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market and Dr Qadeer Khan Road.

The beautification of the three markets was badly affected due to the lack of a drainage system, while water entered shops.

The relevant departments adopted the traditional stance that the rain was unusually heavy and said the markets had been flooded because the rainfall exceeded the capacity of the drainage system.

According to sources, the three Model Bazaar Beautification Projects were completed this year at a cost of hundreds of millions of rupees, but their formal inauguration was still pending.

Federal and provincial ministers and members of the assemblies had taken extensive credit for the projects, holding fireworks displays and showering themselves with flowers at the markets.

However, on Tuesday, like other low-lying areas of the city, the Model Bazaar Beautification Projects were submerged for the second time. Water entered shops, causing heavy losses to traders.