Stage set for open market
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 07 2011:
Paving way for construction of an open market, demolition of around 22 sheds on the northern side of the temporary market which were constructed around 6 years back have been started since yesterday.
Demolition of another 45 shops selling Ngaris is in the offing.
Temporary market sheds have been constructed in 2005 to accommodate the women vendors from the earlier three market sheds of Khwairamband Bazar while new buildings were under construction.
With shifting of women vendors to the new market sheds, demolition of the sheds of the temporary market have been started since yesterday.
In its place an open market is proposed to be set up where people from different parts of the State can come to sell their wares.
For the expansion of the proposed open market, four godowns located on the northern side of the temporary market are also expected to be pulled down while demolition of a row of another 45 other shops popularly known as Ngari Pareng is in the offing.
Interacting with The Sangai Express at the site of the demolition today, officials of PDA informed that allotment order for demolition of 45 Ngari shops is awaited.
Demolition would start soon after receiving the allotment order.
It is said that arrangements have been made for allotment of seats to around 1,797 licence card holder street vendors in the remaining 42 sheds of the temporary market after necessary repairing.
On the other hand, after shifting of all the women vendors from the temporary market sheds to the newly constructed market buildings, the sale of goods in the Ngari shops and other smaller shops selling ornamental items has reportedly gone down.
In addition to dip in the sale proceed, these shopkeepers have also expressed apprehension over possible demolition of their shops.