Beautification work at Unit-II Market Building in Bhubaneswar has not been completed. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 11: Civic authorities have spent Rs 80 lakh on the beautification of Unit-II market, popularly known as Market Building, but the facility continues to battle a plethora of problems. The promise of the civic authorities to provide better ambience for shoppers seems to be a distant dream.

Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation, along with Central Market Association (a body of traders), had earlier decided to carry out the much talked about beautification of the market in the public private partnership (PPP) mode.

According to the beautification scheme, the market was to have decorated lights, floor tiling, plants, systematic parking facility and sitting arrangements.

There was a proposal to convert the market into an open-air shopping mall with LCD screens, music and much-needed drinking water and toilet facilities. However, to the utter disappointment of residents, some of the above the facilities are yet to be provided. The condition of the improvements made nine months earlier, during the beginning of the project, has also deteriorated.

The tiles fixed on the floors have started to break. There is only one water cooler in the market, which is insufficient to meet the needs of shop owners and shoppers. Garbage can be seen scattered at most places at the market area, adding to the discomfort of the customers.

The two entrance gates, which were installed at the entry points, have started to tarnish and at some points cracks have also developed. Similarly, there are some points where lights are yet to be installed. Absence of toilets is another area of concern.

The authorities have installed a water fountain inside the market area, but it barely works. The fountain has turned into a trashcan as waste products are dumped there. The chairs are also damaged and there is only a handful of plants.

“Lack of maintenance has adversely affected the market. Initially, the market was good news, but in due course the situation has become worse. If this is the type of ambiance the authorities are supposed to provide, then the dream of turning the market into a open-air shopping mall will diminish,” said Gayatri Tripathy, a housewife who often visits the market.

Parking seems to the main problem in the market. Only one parking lot has been provided, which forces the customers to park their vehicles all around the market. During the evening, parking becomes an especially difficult task.

President of Central Market Association, Rabi Mohanty, said lack of coordination between the shop owners and lack of maintenance has affected the market. “As long as the roadside vendors are not rehabilitated to another area, the beautification drive will remain incomplete,” he said. Mohanty also said construction of a ladies’ toilet and installation of LCD screens would be completed very soon.

The foundation laying ceremony of beautification of the market had taken place on August 30, 2008 — on Local Self-Government Day.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said the civic authorities are always ready to lend their support. “A follow-up would be carried out and sufficient ladies’ toilets would be constructed. As far as the matter of parking lot is concerned, we have identified one spot and a parking lot would soon be provided,’ said Jena.

The 500-metre market stretch in the heart of the city has over 300 small and big showrooms along with 200 roadside vendors. According to the market association estimates, around 5,000 shoppers visit the market daily and business worth about Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore is conducted.