BMC plans renovation of markets, malls

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned a massive renovation of all small and big markets, including the two malls it manages on a public private partnership (PPP) mode.

For this purpose, a detailed assessment will be carried out by a team BMC formed, comprising members from the project monitoring unit (PMU). A comprehensive report will be prepared based on the team’s assessment, after which facelift work will be taken up, BMC officials said.


“The Unit-I and Unit-II markets and all vegetable, non-veg, grocery, cloth and fruit markets will be taken into account for the study, which will identify the areas requiring renovation. Parking and basic amenities and the approach road to the market will also be studied for improvement,” BMC additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo said.

“After the comprehensive report is ready, the engineering wing will be involved and on a priority basis, a renovation plan will be drawn up following the estimation of cost. If there are encroachments inside or outside any market, they will be removed,” Sahoo added.

BMC-Keshari and BMC-Bhawani malls will see renovation on their interiors and exteriors.

BMC will also try to solve the parking issue at Unit-II market in front of Keshari mall and the narrow roads alongside.

Civic body officials and city mayor Sulochana Das recently visited Unit-IV fish and the meat market to chalk out plans for the renovation.

The rows of vending kiosks inside the market are congested and cluttered, leaving little passage for customers. The market has sanitation problems, resulting in a foul smell spreading across the area, apart from a parking space crunch. BMC officials said shopkeepers in various market areas are extending polythene sheets from their establishments, causing significant inconvenience to customers and pedestrians. These sheets, which protrude into the narrow lanes, not only obstruct movement but also pose safety hazards, especially concerning fire safety. This aspect will also be addressed in the revamp plan.

Officials said shopkeepers use these sheets as protection against weather conditions for years, but this practice cannot continue as it violates both safety and civic norms.




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