12 Kolkata: Around 6 community market complexes across Salt Lake will get a facelift. The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed the first phase of the repair work of the Salt Lake GD block community market and is presently conducting repair and renovation work of the BD block market complex. The authorities will take up the second phase of work of the GD block market soon as more market complexes are in the line to be renovated.
Other markets in the line for upgradation are Baisakhi market, Karunamoyee market, AB-AC block market and EC block community markets.
"Repair work is underway in BD block community market with an estimate of Rs 35 lakh. The drainage line and roof is being repaired and the market will be covered with a plastic shed so that people do not face inconvenience during rain," said BMC MMiC (markets) Rajesh Chirimar.
Chirimar added that the first phase of major repair work in GD block market has been completed with a cost of Rs 1.3 crore and estimates are being prepared to take up the second phase of work. Chirimar also said that other markets in the line for repair and renovation are Karunamoyee market, AB-AC block market, EC market and Baisakhi open market.
Two years back, a portion of the corrugated roof of the vegetable and fish market at Baisakhi had collapsed, injuring five fish vendors. "The Baisakhi market place needs to be developed to give it a proper shape like the other community block markets in Salt Lake," said a BMC official.
There are 16 community markets across Salt Lake which are maintained by BMC. These are the AA, AB-AC, AE, CA, BD, BJ, CE, CK-CL, FB, FD, EC, GD, IA, IB block and Baisakhi market.
Civic officials said one of the reasons for the need to spruce up the markets in Salt Lake is to compete with the online shopping portals. "Many people now buy their daily essential products and items through online avenues. There is a need to develop the markets as a centre of attraction to increase footfall so that more people step out to buy their daily necessities as well as go shopping," said a BMC official.
The association of Bidhannagar citizens, a newly formed peoples forum recently placed a memorandum before the BMC authorities, requesting the civic body to see that the community markets are renovated and revamped as several market complexes have been in a dilapidated condition for a long time.