KMC struggles to convince Park Circus traders to shift
Times of India | 7 January 2025
12 Kolkata: Six months after the KMC formalised its decision to reconstruct the dilapidated Park Circus market at a mayor-in-council meeting, the civic body's market department is struggling to convince most of the traders to temporarily shift to Park Circus Maidan until reconstruction is complete.
According to a KMC source, though the MMiC overseeing the market department, Amiruddin Bobby, is holding talks with the traders for a swift shift to the maidan, non-cooperation from a section of traders has complicated the situation. "After a crucial meeting with the traders' body in July last year, we hoped to start the process of shifting after the festive season. But now it appears that we need to set a deadline for traders to shift to Park Circus Maidan," said a KMC official.
The market was declared unsafe after a concrete chunk fell from the second-floor parapet, injuring a shopper in July 2022. However, the civic body has faced a challenge with traders refusing to temporarily relocate to Park Circus Maidan. Though the MMiC on Monday claimed a majority of the traders were agreeable to shifting, a section said that before arriving at a decision, they needed to discuss the matter among themselves. "We held a meeting with the civic brass to find a solution. Though KMC bosses want us to shift to Park Circus Maidan, we will discuss the matter with the traders before all agree to move," said a member of Park Circus Market Byabsayi Samiti. According to the trader, post-Covid, the situation became tough as business dropped by more than 75%. "In such a situation, it remains to be seen whether the traders accept the proposal to shift as the reconstruction process won't be complete before 2028," said a trader who is unwilling to shift.
Traders acknowledged that parts of the market are extremely dilapidated. But they are unwilling to be rehabilitated, even temporarily, to Park Circus Maidan fearing loss in business. They insisted they be accommodated nearby. KMC has been unable to find an alternative site in the vicinity.
The KMC brass even offered an incentive scheme to the traders to encourage them to shift to Park Circus Maidan. As part of the scheme, the civic body offered to waive 50% of the stall rent. But this, too, failed to convince traders. "We have offered the traders sops for shifting to Park Circus Maidan. The market building has become structurally unsafe and we can't allow traders to use the building any more," the MMiC said.