The Gole Bazaar, a prominent landmark market of Sambalpur city, is set to turn into a swanky multistoreyed market complex. The construction of the building has already begun. The work has been taken up in two phases. As per the preliminary assessment, around Rs 40 crore will be spent on the total project.
The work is being carried out under the corporate responsibility (CSR) initiative. Around Rs 10 crore will be spent on the construction of the two-storied building with a long basement for parking in the first phase. As the shopkeepers resisted to vacate the market areas, the construction work has been taken up without shifting and disturbing existing market area. The old residential building of the Executive Officer was demolished to take up the work from one side. After completion of one wing, the grocery shops and the vendors will be shifted to the building.
At present, there are 180 shops in Gole bazaar area and more than 250 vegetable venders operating in the oldest market of the region spread over 1.5 acres of land in the heart of the city. The market coming under the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken utmost care to construct the huge new building.
“We will accommodate all the traders associated with the market suitably,” a senior officer of the SMC said.
The Gole Bazaar was established by the then Sambalpur Municipality way back in 1903. The market was named after Edward VIII, the king of UK, when it was established. Since it is almost a round shape, it is popularly known as Gole Bazaar.
The historic market hit the headlines following a major fire broke out inside the market in the wee hours of April 4 , 2017. Property worth over Rs 80 lakh got destroyed in the incident. However, there was no casualty reported. The State Government paid compensation after field verifications.
The decision of the authorities to convert the old market into a multi-storied market building has been widely welcomed by the residents of the city. The people want the building to get completed as soon as possible to meet the growing requirement of the oldest city.