The Statesman 14.06.2013
KMC to construct market complexes in 8 markets
Corporation has decided to construct market complexes in eight markets
with funds available under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission (JnNURM).
The new market complexes will come up at Park
Circus market, Jadavgarh Bazar, VIP Kankurgachi Market, Ultadanga Bazar,
Bakultola Market and S N Roy Market in Behala. The existing structures
which are in a bad shape would be pulled down to make room for the new
ones.
The KMC’s market department will prepare a detailed
project report after taking into confidence local shop owners of the
markets. Multi-storied buildings will come up in the markets. It may be
recalled that KMC’s projects to pull down the existing markets to make
room for new ones has not gone well so far. The construction at College
Street and Sarat Bose markets which began nearly a decade ago is yet to
be completed; Lake market could not be opened after hawkers blocked its
entrance.
A beautification drive will be conducted with the
funds. Drainage and sewerage systems will be upgraded and entrances to
the markets will be widened with the JnNURM funds.
The civic body
will place the report to the ministry of Urban Development to get funds
under the JnNURM scheme. The civic body will float tender to select
bidders to construct market complexes after funds are allocated.
The
existing shop owners will be housed in the new market complex and rest
of the place in the market complex would be rented out. Local shop
owners will not resist the civic body, if their proposal and suggestions
are included in the project report, a senior official of the market
department said.
At the time of preparing the detailed project
report, the KMC will take care to see that the carpet area does not come
down after the new market complex comes up. If the total carpet area
comes down then it would be problem to house all shop owners. In order
to augment revenue of the market department, the KMC will allow
installation of billboards in its markets. The billboards will be
allowed to be put up after renovating various markets, including
Jadubabaur Bazar, Park Circus market, Ramlal Bazar, Jadavgarh market and
SN Roy market.
The condition of most of KMC’s markets is not
good. The civic officials have placed a report in this regard to the
chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee, seeking suggestion to restore and
renovate the markets.