The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched an ambitious initiative to transform the city's commercial landscape. The civic body has planned a massive renovation drive covering all small and large markets under its jurisdiction. This includes the two malls it operates under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, aiming to enhance infrastructure, safety, and customer experience.
Comprehensive Assessment to Guide Renovation
To ensure a systematic overhaul, the BMC has formed a dedicated team from its Project Monitoring Unit (PMU). This team will conduct a detailed assessment of every market, from the sprawling Unit-I and Unit-II complexes to specialized vegetable, non-vegetarian, grocery, cloth, and fruit markets. The study will not be limited to the market buildings themselves.
According to BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, the assessment will also scrutinize parking facilities, basic public amenities, and the condition of approach roads. The goal is to identify all areas requiring urgent improvement and create a holistic revival plan.
Addressing Congestion, Sanitation, and Safety Hazards
The need for renovation is evident in several markets. A recent visit by civic officials and City Mayor Sulochana Das to the Unit-IV fish and meat market highlighted critical issues. The market suffers from severe congestion due to rows of cramped vending kiosks, leaving minimal passage for customers.
Sanitation problems leading to foul odors and a severe parking space crunch further plague the area. Officials also identified a widespread practice among shopkeepers: extending polythene sheets from their shops for weather protection. These protruding sheets clog narrow lanes, obstruct movement, and pose serious fire safety hazards. Sahoo emphasized that while this has been a long-standing practice, it violates safety and civic norms and will be addressed in the revamp.
Plan of Action and Mall Upgrades
Once the comprehensive assessment report is ready, the BMC's engineering wing will be engaged. A priority-based renovation plan will be drafted, complete with cost estimations. A key component of the plan is the removal of encroachments both inside and outside market premises to clear public spaces.
The renovation will extend to the BMC-Keshari and BMC-Bhawani malls, which will receive interior and exterior upgrades. A specific focus will be on solving the chronic parking issue at the Unit-II market in front of Keshari Mall and widening the narrow roads adjacent to it.
This large-scale initiative marks a significant step by the BMC to modernize Bhubaneswar's traditional market infrastructure, making it more customer-friendly, safe, and hygienic for all residents and visitors.
