Steps on to shift wholesale market from Fancy Bazar

GUWAHATI, July 25: Steps have been initiated to shift the wholesale market from Fancy Bazar to the outskirts of Guwahati city and several rounds of discussions were held between the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the business community in this regard. Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner, DN Saikia, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the GMDA, said that the wholesale market would be shifted to Tetelia near the National Highway by pass in the outskirts of the city. He said that several rounds of discussions were held with the business community and they have agreed to shift from Fancy Bazar. He said that about 200 to 250 bighas of land would be required to shift the market and the GMDA has already identified land for the purpose. He revealed that as per the plan, the GMDA would acquire and develop the land, which would cost about Rs 15 crore. He said that discussions are on with HUDCO and other financial institutions for financing the project. He expressed the view that it would not be difficult to repay the loan as the project would be an economically viable one. The GMDA Chief Executive Officer said that the new wholesale market would have all the basic facilities like banks, drinking water etc. The GMDA will prepare a master plan for the market and allot land to each individual businessmen and they would have to construct buildings as per the provisions of the master plan, Saikia added. Giving details of the advantages of shifting the wholesale market, Saikia said that as hundreds of trucks come to the market every day, these create serious traffic congestion on the MG Road. He said that the traffic flow would improve considerably if the market is shifted. He also said that though thousands of workers have been engaged by the businessmen, they never provide toilet facilities as a result of which the river side has been transformed into a toilet. If the market is shifted, steps can also be initiated for the beautification of the river side, he added. Saikia expressed the hope that the GMDA would be able to start implementing the project from the next winter season. A committee with representatives from the business community headed by the Deputy Commissioner has already been formed in this regard. Meanwhile, Saikia has written letters to the Public Sector Industries like the OIL and ONGC, banks and other industrial houses to provide funds for the beautification of the parks in the city. He said that steps would be taken to develop the Nehru Park and the Ambikagiri Park as exclusively children's parks. The Administration has also signed an agreement with Aspa ads for the beautification of the Sankardev Park located at the banks of the river Brahmaputra. As per the agreement, the company would take steps for the beautification of the park and run the toy train and they would be allowed to put up glow signs of advertisements of different companies. Saikia also said that lack of parking place is a major problem for the city. He said that if the district jail is shifted from Fancy Bazar area, that area can be developed as a parking place.