Bhubaneswar, Aug. 7: The general administration department has allotted 3.822 acres for development of the Unit-I Daily Market here. The department released an order to this effect last Wednesday.

The order stated that the land will be exclusively used for development of the daily market and it will be taken away if it could not be used within three years from the date of handing over possession.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been entrusted with the job to give a new look to the market, which is one of the busiest in the capital.

Vendors at the market welcomed the decision of land allotment and hoped that the market would get a facelift at the earliest. “We have been waiting for long for a makeover of the market. It has become overcrowded and its renovation is a priority for us. We are ready to help the civic authorities if they rehabilitate the vendors properly,” said general secretary of Rajdhani Dainik Haat Byabasayi Mahasangha Gayadhar Swain.

According to the renovation plan, the daily market will be converted into a market complex with a four-storey structure and a parking lot. The corporation will build around 1,500 shops in the proposed complex along with a big parking space with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 two-wheelers and 1,000 four-wheelers.

The parking problem between Rajmahal Square and AG Square is likely to be solved once the new market complex is built. BMC sources said that vegetable vendors would occupy the first floor while traders dealing in electronic goods, utensils and other items would be accommodated on the upper floors. The market makeover plan also includes building swanky food courts, elevators and escalators, recreational facilities and modern toilets.

Local residents also feel that the daily market should be renovated urgently.

“It is one of the busiest markets in the city and many people depend on it. But, the market lacks basic amenities for people visiting it. It should be renovated at the earliest,” said Sanatan Bisoi, a resident of Saheed Nagar.

BMC deputy commissioner Krushna Prasad Pati said the corporation would expedite the process. “Once the land comes to our possession, we will conduct another survey of the market and start construction of the new complex,” said Pati.