The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) and is preparing to establish a well-organised vending zone on a 1.93-acre plot near Loknayak J P Golambar (Digha Golambar) on J P Ganga Path, also known as Marine Drive. This initiative aims to relocate roadside vendors from the popular riverside stretch.
The project represents the latest effort in the corporation's ongoing campaign to clear vendors from Marine Drive and provide them with a designated formal space. Previous attempts to shift vendors and create a proper vending zone faced repeated delays and changes, leaving many operating in temporary and unsanitary conditions along the busy promenade.
Estimated at Rs 59 lakh, the project will accommodate around 250 vendor carts. The tender for the first phase has already been floated, with the PMC targeting the relocation of vendors to the new site by the end of May 2026.
First Phase: Basic Infrastructure
Patna Mayor Sita Sahu confirmed that the NOC for the land was recently secured, prompting the start of the tender process. She explained that the development will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the land will be levelled and developed with Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) roads, an efficient drainage system, and street lighting. These basic infrastructure works will create a clean, functional, and safe vending area, replacing the current chaotic roadside setup and improving traffic flow along Marine Drive.
Sahu added that the goal is to complete the first phase by the end of May, utilising the Rs 59 lakh budget. Once ready, vendors will be relocated to the site.
Second Phase: Modern Amenities
In the second phase, several modern amenities will be added to transform the space into a vibrant destination. These include an entertainment zone, a children's play area, a selfie point, seating arrangements, parking facilities, public toilets, drinking water facilities, aesthetic lighting, and extensive landscaping. Plans also call for an amphitheatre to host cultural and community events.
PMC officials stated that the cost for the second phase will be determined after the detailed project report is prepared.
Vision for the Vending Zone
Mayor Sahu described the project as an effort to turn the area into a structured and sustainable vending hub. It aims to support the livelihoods of street vendors, promote tourism, and offer a clean, safe, and engaging environment for both vendors and visitors. By providing organised facilities, the initiative is expected to enhance the urban aesthetics of Marine Drive while reducing roadside congestion.
Once completed, the new vending zone is likely to benefit hundreds of vendors with a permanent designated space and provide citizens and tourists with a more pleasant experience along the Ganga Path. The development underscores PMC's broader efforts to balance urban regulation with the needs of informal traders in Patna.
