April 3: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi today laid the foundation stone for a modern, multi-storey Beltola market.

The estimated construction cost of the market is Rs 7.60 crore.

“Beltola market has historical significance and some quarters want it to run as it used to do. But we have to move with the times and create modern facilities both for buyers and sellers. Modernisation will not imply dilution of Beltola’s history,” the chief minister said.

The market, popularly known as Beltola Bozaar or Beltola Bazar, is a traditional bi-weekly fruits and vegetables market. It offers a variety of local food products.

It also serves as a prime traditional trading point between people from Khasi hills in Meghalaya and the locals.

According to historians, Beltola was the seat for a small protectorate of Ahom kingdom, which assisted the borphukan in administration and maintained relations with the communities of Khasi hills.

The rani or queen of Beltola is a popular historical figure in the locality.

Beltola legislator Akon Bora, who is the social welfare minister, said modernisation of the market would benefit both traders and buyers.

He said the existing market would be converted into an eight-storey with underground parking facilities.

The construction is expected to be complete within two years and all existing traders will be given the opportunity to run their business in the new building, he added.

Bora also stressed the need to maintain cleanliness in the market.

Guwahati development department minister Ajanta Neog, who was present at the ceremony, said the market would be constructed by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation. She said 2015 has been set as the deadline for completion of the market.

Neog said the state government had earmarked Rs 10 crore to modernise Ulubari, Roopnagar, Ganeshguri and Fatasil Ambari markets and the GMC would soon chalk out the detailed project reports for these markets.

The chief minister said his government was committed to convert Guwahati into one of the best cities not only in India but in Southeast Asia.

He, too, urged the people to extend support to the government in maintaining cleanliness in the city.