CDA Orders Golden Hands Sculpture Removal on Margalla

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has directed that a striking public art installation on Margalla Avenue — known as the “Golden Hands” structure — be dismantled immediately. This decision follows mounting public criticism and the revelation that the sculpture lacked official CDA approval. Installed by a private developer, the artwork quickly became a social media flashpoint, prompting the Authority’s swift response.

• What: Two oversized golden hands grasping illuminated globes

• Where: Recently completed stretch of Margalla Avenue, Islamabad

• Who installed it: Faisal Hills, a private real-estate developer, without CDA permission 

• Action: CDA ordered immediate dismantling; machinery and labor dispatched 

• Why: No formal clearance; public backlash over unauthorized, odd installation 

• Installation details

• A giant pair of hands, coated in gold, each holding a glowing orb, appeared overnight on Margalla Avenue.

• Public reaction

• Locals were puzzled. Social media dubbed it quirky and out of place—a trending meme in no time.

• Source confirmed

• Journalist Nadia Mirza revealed via X (formerly Twitter) that the installation was funded by Faisal Hills and done without CDA approval 

• CDA intervention

• Upon review, CDA verified the lack of permission and directed its removal. Removal teams are already on site

• Unregulated public art near major roads raises safety and aesthetic concerns.

• Governance failure: Shows gaps in CDA’s regulatory oversight.

• Precedent for accountability: Sets an example that private landowners cannot unilaterally install structures on public property.

• Public sentiment: Reflects residents’ demand for design standards on public infrastructure.

• Design: Two stylized hands clasping illuminated globes.

• Material: Unknown — likely fiberglass or metal, painted gold with built-in lighting.

• Scale: Sizes appear larger than life—banner-ready for social media but jarring in situ.

• Lighting details: LED globes that glow at night, but no environmental or glare assessment was done.

Establish clear “Public Art” procedures

Require permit, structural certification, public feedback, and design review

Conduct a site inspection

Confirm safe removal, restoration of the public land

Review the road safety audit

Check nearby throwaway zones to prevent future unauthorized installations

Boost surveillance

CDA Enforcement Wing should monitor adjacent stretches to deter similar actions

Enact policy

Create heritage and scenic guidelines for art or landscaping installations

• Resident: “It seems whimsical but without purpose. Art should be curated, not dumped.”

• Urban planner: “Public art demands context, not random attraction. This was invasive to the roadside ambiance.”

• Social media voice: Some praised it as a creative marker, others called it a roadside amusement.

The Golden Hands structure incident crystallizes a recurring governance challenge: how to balance creative expression with urban planning integrity. CDA’s decision to dismantle the unauthorized sculpture sends a strong message about the importance of permit processes and regulatory oversight. Ultimately, this episode can serve as a constructive turning point, prompting Islamabad’s authorities to develop robust, formalized, and transparent policies for public art along key city corridors, ensuring future installations enrich the cityscape while respecting design, safety, and community voice.