250 New Mkt traders contribute 500/month to refurbish Golghar
Times of India | 16 January 2026
Kolkata: Buoyed by the private initiative that led to the restoration of the New Market clock tower, shopkeepers at the 151-year-old market stepped forward to fund the beautification and maintenance of the Golghar, or rotunda, at the centre of the market and the four wings leading out of it. Around 250 shopkeepers contribute Rs 500 a month to the initiative.
The SS Hogg Market Traders' Association not only cleaned and painted the Golghar, it also employed eight housekeeping staff to clean and sweep the four corridors of G Block twice a day. This is in addition to the cleaning carried out by the civic staff at the KMC-owned heritage market.
Apart from regular dusting and sweeping, paan and gutka stains on pillars at the Golghar were washed and the area sanitised. Drains were covered to allow water to percolate but stop litter from clogging them.
To prevent littering, the association installed six large dustbins and distributed 110 smaller bins to individual shops that line the four wings. "There are 125 shops that are part of the beautification and cleanliness drive, of whom 15 said they had their own bins," explained association executive committee member Mijanur Rehman. The association also installed 110 potted plants at the rotunda and along the four wings.
Shopper Anuradha Dutta from Jodhpur Park was delighted to see the spruced-up market. "There is a positive vibe in the market after a long time. The efforts of the shopkeepers are commendable," she said, even as other shoppers posed for photographs at the Golghar.
Apart from giving permission to the association to carry out beautification work, KMC improved illumination in the G Block. The market department also assured support for the traders' efforts to improve the image and feel of the market.
Going ahead, the association plans to set up benches at the rotunda. "There is no place for shoppers, particularly the elderly, to rest. We wish to put up benches at the Golghar and later stools at each shop that is demarcated exclusively for customers," said Navin Israni, another executive member.
Association president Ashok Gupta said the enthusiasm of the young members made the makeover initiative possible. "We are grateful to KMC, which extended its support, and hope to make the market a hygienic and attractive place to shop," he added.