During the visit of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Ghaziabad, the Vice-Chairman of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) made a detailed presentation on the state-of-the-art Weaver Mart constructed under the Madhuban-Bapudham Scheme. The CM was briefed on the project’s concept, construction, available facilities, infrastructure and its potential future utilisation.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority has developed this ambitious project over an area of approximately 38,340 square metres at an estimated cost of Rs 152 crore in Madhuban-Bapudham. With its extensive infrastructure and modern facilities, the project is set to add a significant dimension to Ghaziabad’s development. The complex features open Weaver Mart shops, retail outlets, exhibition galleries, large expo halls, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 560, convention and conference halls, a food court, an open-air theatre, 10 residential units for weavers along with accommodation facilities, and parking space for approximately 1,000 cars. Almost all construction work has been completed, and the project is likely to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the coming month. The project’s strategic location and connectivity further enhance its importance. The centre is situated approximately 6 kilometres from the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and 7 kilometres from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, making it easily accessible to exhibitors, entrepreneurs, traders and visitors from across the country and beyond.
Keeping in view the broader objectives of the project and the interests of traditional artisans and handicraft entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister directed that the centre should not remain limited to weavers alone but should be developed as a comprehensive platform for artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs associated with crafts, handicrafts and traditional art forms across the state. Accordingly, he directed that the complex be renamed ‘Vishwakarma Expo and Convention Centre’ instead of being known merely as Weaver Mart.
The Chief Minister’s vision is to provide suitable spaces within the complex to artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs from different districts of Uttar Pradesh for displaying, selling and marketing their products. This initiative will provide artisans associated with distinctive traditional crafts from every district with a common platform where they can showcase their skills and products and directly connect with customers, traders and potential buyers. It will help expand market access for their products while creating opportunities to enhance their income and employment prospects.
The concept of the ‘Vishwakarma Expo and Convention Centre’ represents a significant initiative to connect the state’s traditional arts and crafts with employment generation and entrepreneurship. Under this initiative, the aim is to provide space under one roof for distinctive handicrafts and traditional products from different districts of Uttar Pradesh. Along with weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs associated with woodwork, metalwork, stone craft, pottery, textiles, carpets, Chikankari, Zari-Zardozi, terracotta and other traditional crafts will have opportunities to showcase their skills and undertake commercial activities.