Gaya wholesale markets set to shift to Chandauti

Gaya: After decades of delay, the wholesale grain and vegetable markets in Gaya are finally set to shift to the Bazar Samiti complex in Chandauti on the western outskirts of the town, according to Gaya Town MLA and cooperative minister Prem Kumar.At present, the wholesale market is located in mid-town with several unregulated entry and exit points. Its location not only causes severe traffic congestion but also creates opportunities for malpractice such as hoarding, black marketing, adulteration and tax evasion.“Gaya, it may be recalled, is infamous for wrongful business practices like adulteration and sale of duplicate items of renowned brands,” said Johnny, an activist from Mustafabad.In contrast, the Bazar Samiti complex is a fortified site with limited access, making it less vulnerable to such activities. For years, the business community resisted the move on grounds of poor security and accessibility, but it has now agreed to the relocation. The presence of Chandauti police station inside the complex has helped curb organised crime in the area.According to Anup Kedia and Kaushalendra Pratap, patrons of the Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, the business body is ready to shift either to the Bazar Samiti or to an alternative location near BIPARD on the Bodh Gaya-Rajgir highway.Prem Kumar said the modifications and renovations suggested by the business community have already been carried out at the Bazar Samiti complex. “As such, now there cannot be any alibi for the non-shifting of the wholesale market,” he said, adding that institutions such as LIC and the income tax dept have also moved to the Bazar Samiti area to reduce traffic pressure in the main town.Several decades ago, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with World Bank support, developed the Bazar Samiti complex on more than 50 acres of land on the town’s western fringe. But Gaya’s wholesale traders consistently resisted the relocation plan, citing the site’s remoteness and security concerns.For years, major roads such as G B Road, K P Road and Tekari Road leading to the wholesale grain market in Purani Godam and the Kedarnath vegetable market have remained virtually paralysed during peak hours, creating daily hardship for commuters and pedestrians.As congestion worsened, showrooms of high-end products, ready-made garments, footwear and restaurants gradually shifted to Church Road, Jagjivan Road, A P Colony and Katari Hill.The relocation of the wholesale markets will allow balanced business growth and improve traffic management, said activist Motibhai.