The Kabul Municipality, in partnership with the private sector, has inaugurated the underground commercial market extending from Pul-e-Khishti to Sepahi Gumnam Square in District 1. The ceremony was attended by Mawlawi Mohammad Khalid Sajistani, Deputy Mayor for Urban Services, Khan Jan Alkozai, Chairman of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and a number of investors.
Deputy Mayor Sajistani described the project as highly significant for job creation and economic development, adding that Kabul Municipality continues to support private sector investment in secure projects.
He stressed that such initiatives not only promote economic growth but also contribute to the city’s beautification, with the new market being a notable example.
Speakers, including Khan Jan Alkozai, highlighted that projects of this kind play a crucial role in Kabul’s economic progress, noting that the Municipality’s urban development efforts over the past four years have been unparalleled.
Constructed to modern standards, the underground market covers 7,845 square meters, consists of a single floor with 337 shops, and was completed in 16 months at a cost of 281,845,100 Afghanis.
According to the agreement, rent will be collected by the private sector through Kabul Municipality’s bank account for a period of 30 years, after which the facility will be transferred to the Municipality.
The contractor company is prohibited from selling, mortgaging, subletting, or profiting from public areas of the market. Based on the financial model, the project is expected to generate 1,557,600,000 Afghanis over three decades, with 35 percent allocated to Kabul Municipality.
The facility is equipped with solar and municipal electricity, entry and exit gates, restrooms, safety measures, and a fire protection system.
Additionally, a 200-meter-long and 30-meter-wide road has been constructed above the market, which has also been opened to traffic.