Bhubaneswar, April 5: The municipal corporation has roped in a private firm to prepare a detailed project report of a vegetable godown to be set up at Bhagabanpur near Patrapada on the city outskirts.

The decision to shift the godowns from Unit-I to Patrapada was taken, as the unclean market place had become an eyesore for the residents.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation officials said around 31 vegetable traders and wholesalers would be shifted from Unit-I to the new location.The general administration department has already earmarked the land near Patrapada. The wholesalers would construct their godown-cum-shops on their own, but will have to follow a proper pattern.

"The private firm would make the architectural plan for the mandi keeping in mind the uniformity and preservation facilities. Besides, it would provide detailed maps of waste disposal and recycling, drainage system and other facilities such as vehicle parking. The company will also give an estimate to set up the mandi," said Brundha D, additional commissioner of the civic body.

Moreover, the firm will also have to make sure that basic amenities such as restroom, toilets for people working for unloading and offloading of the trucks are provided. A common godown will also be constructed, which will help traders stock their excess products.

The additional commissioner said the shifting of vegetable and wholesalers to Patrapada would minimise the traffic problem near the roads leading to Unit-I daily market. Besides, the problem of garbage piling up in the area could also be solved.

While potato and onion wholesalers have a dedicated godown for them at Kuberpuri in Aiginia, green vegetable sellers bring their stuff-loaded trucks to the market place here for offloading. Besides, retailers, who purchase these vegetables from them, also bring their carriers to the market place creating traffic jam inside the area. Everyday over 200 trucks come to this market place carrying various types of vegetables.

This new godown-cum-vegetable mandi would help traders as well as the authorities and general public. The traders welcomed the step and said the authorities should also help them to conduct a smooth business.

"We are happy that we will be provided with a new place outside the city. At present, our trucks create a lot of traffic chaos," said Gayadhar Swain, president of a traders' union in the Unit-I market.

Similarly, the green vegetable owners' association also expected the authorities to ensure that business could be conducted smoothly from the new location. "We are happy to cooperate with the civic authorities," said members of green vegetable traders' union.