Giving rest to all anticipations that aroused recently after eviction of street vendors from busiest lalpur-Kokar market, Minister, Department of Urban Development and Planning, CP Singh during the inauguration of Nagababa Khataal vegetable market on Friday promised to street vendors that they will be provided alternative sites for earning their livelihood.
However, during the inaugural ceremony of the first mega vegetable marketing complex, Singh expressed his limitations and helplessness over the land issue that is posing a hurdle in settling down the street vendors as well, “Attempts are being made from the State government’s side. However, we do not have sufficient land but certain places have been demarcated here in the State Capital for settling the street vendors. Survey is being conducted by an agency,” said the Minister.
After the inauguration of the first mega vegetable marketing complex at Nagababa Khatal being constructed at a whopping cost of Rs. 5.9 crore, Singh said, “The first organized vegetable marketing complex will be designed in a way that it does not create traffic snarl. During the construction work, it will be ensured that sufficient space is left for parking. Also, considering future projects like road widening project and others, ample space will be left out.”
The newly constructed marketing complex will accommodate around 230 vegetable vendors. The marketing complex will have ground floor and first floor where separate counters will be allocated to the sellers for selling out different stuffs. The project is being developed covering one acre land. The Municipal Commissioner present on the occasion assured that the project will be completed within seven to eight months.
“All pre-requisites have been completed for taking up the project. Construction work will be completed at the earliest. This is first of its kind attempt for providing a place where in an organized way, fruits and vegetables will be sold out. This attempt will also reduce traffic problem,” said, Municipal Commissioner, Shaantanu Kumar Agrahari.
Deputy Mayor, Sanjiv Vijayawargia too applauded the initiative taken up by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) team, terming it a major step in settling down the vendors. The Deputy Mayor further said that an organized setup will eventually aid the civic body in keeping the track record of the street vendors.