SAMBALPUR: The century-old Golebazar market, the oldest organised daily market of the city, will soon get a makeover. The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated step to convert it into a multi-storied market building.
Informing this, Deputy Commissioner of SMC, Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi said design of the proposed four-storey market building has already been prepared. It will be constructed at an estimated cost of around `40 crores and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund will be utilised to execute the project, he said. The construction work will be carried out after demolishing the existing market. If everything goes as per the plan, construction will begin by the end of April this year, he informed.
At least 180 shops besides more than 200 vegetable vendors operate in Golebazar market, spreading over an area of about 1.5 acres of land. All the traders, who are operating in the market, will be accommodated in the new market building.
The SMC has already discussed with the traders over construction of new market building and the traders are positive about the initiative. The Municipal Corporation is planning to rehabilitate traders at a suitable location till completion of the construction work.
The market was established in the year 1903 to cater to vegetable, fish and mutton vendors. Prior to Independence, it was called as Edward Market and the Municipal Market was designed to cater to the then small population of Sambalpur town.
While the population has grown over the years, the market has failed to expand forcing vendors to encroach upon roads to sell their goods. Lack of maintenance led to closure of mutton market while fish vendors are sitting outside as the fish market is in a dilapidated condition.