Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: Aren't markets here wet enough? They are and yet they aren't - at least, not as wet as they are in Singapore.

A day after the state government gave its nod, the municipal corporation has started preparing blueprints to set up two wet markets in the city on the lines of the ones in Singapore.

The term "wet market" has been taken from Singapore where it is quite popular. They are referred to as "wet" because sellers clean the floors with water after washing vegetables and cleaning fish and hence the floor often remains wet. These are popular not only for their fresh products, but also because they reflect the culture of Singapore.

The wet markets, however, will not be full of water everywhere and dirty. They will be like modern markets where mainly meat, fish and other poultry products are available fresh.

The corporation is planning to set up two such markets at Unit-IV and Ghatikia within two years. A sum of Rs 3.78 crore has been sanctioned from the Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund for the project.

A senior civic official here said that preparation of blueprint for the wet markets was in the process and would be placed before the project approval board shortly.

"We have been asked to construct eco-friendly markets with centralised locker facilities for each seller. These will be model markets to be replicated in other cities and towns of the state later," said the official, who hinted at the possible replication of the wet markets of Singapore.

"We are working on the project plan. Indeed, we will take examples from everywhere and come up with a unique wet market in Bhubaneswar," said the official.

Going by Singapore's wet market concept, buyers only get fresh products - be it vegetables straight from the farmers' garden or live fish and meat. The markets usually open very early and close before 9am. The time schedule will also be followed when the wet markets are set up here.

However, residents here have the doubts about the efficacy of replicating such concepts here.

"Such a market will not be possible in Bhubaneswar because the city procures vegetables and other such products from far-away areas since not much cultivation is done in and around the city. But yes, fish and meat can be sold at such markets," said Suchismita Mishra, a homemaker.

The corporation is also planning to set up a night market in Bhubaneswar.

Ironically, setting up of a modern slaughterhouse at Gadakana has failed to take off for five years now because of opposition by people living in the area and administrative glitches.