The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken a fresh step to break the deadlock over the reconstruction of the dilapidated Park Circus market. The civic body's market department has formally approached its building department to draw up a detailed design plan for the new structure's ground and first floors. This move aims to convince reluctant traders, who have steadfastly refused to temporarily vacate the premises, by presenting a transparent blueprint of the proposed development.
The Root of the Problem: Safety Concerns and Trader Apprehension
The market was officially declared unsafe in July 2022 after a chunk of concrete from a parapet crashed down, injuring a shopper. While the KMC has been pushing for demolition and reconstruction since then, the process has hit a major roadblock. A significant section of the approximately 500 traders and vendors operating in the market have refused to relocate temporarily to the Park Circus Maidan, as proposed by the authorities.
Although Amiruddin Bobby, the Mayor-in-Council (MMiC) member overseeing the market department, claimed that a majority of traders had agreed to shift, a vocal group remains opposed. Their primary concern is a potential massive loss of business during the reconstruction period, which is estimated to last until at least 2028. Traders also argue that they have not been made fully aware of the complete reconstruction plan.
A New Approach: Building Confidence Through Transparency
In a bid to win over the traders, the civic authorities are now adopting a more inclusive strategy. They have instructed the building department engineers to create a comprehensive and foolproof plan that clearly demonstrates how all existing traders will be accommodated in the new market, compensating them according to their current status.
"We don't want to hide anything from traders," stated MMiC Amiruddin Bobby. "So we have asked building department engineers to draw a detailed plan for the first two floors that will prove the existing traders will be compensated for, according to their current status." A KMC market department official indicated that preparations for shifting would commence only after another round of discussions with the trader community.
Trader Perspective and Historical Context
A member of the Park Circus Market Byabsayi Samiti confirmed that they have met civic officials to resolve the impasse. "Though KMC bosses want us to shift to Park Circus Maidan, we will have a talk after the market department sends us a specific order," the member said. Traders admit the market building is risky but cite a severe 75% drop in business post the Covid-19 pandemic as a key reason for their reluctance to move, even temporarily.
The proposal to reconstruct the market was formally taken up at a Mayor-in-Council meeting in 2023. This is not the first redevelopment attempt; about fifteen years ago, a joint development proposal from Reliance Retail was shot down by the traders' objections. The issue was revived urgently only after the 2022 accident highlighted the grave safety risks.
The path forward hinges on the KMC's ability to present a convincing, trader-friendly plan. With the proposed reconstruction timeline stretching to 2028, the civic body faces the dual challenge of ensuring public safety and addressing the genuine economic fears of the market's business community. The success of the new transparent approach will determine whether the historic Park Circus market can be rebuilt without further prolonged delays.
