Berhampur: Ganjam Haat, on the lines of Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Shilpigram in Calcutta and Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneshwar has been proposed by the development authority here.

"Five acres has been identified on the Corporation Road in the heart of the city and the project monitoring unit of the Berhampur Development Authority has prepared the proposed master plan," said the secretary of the development authority Deepti Mahapatra.

The executive committee of the development authority passed the proposal to this effect on Friday.

"We have not yet decided whether to start this project on the public private partnership (PPP) mode or arrange funds from our own sources. If we consider the PPP mode, we have to seek the permission of the state urban development department," Mahapatra said. "But I hope that construction work for the Ganjam Haat will start within a month or two and it will take about two years to complete."

Ganjam Haat would be a leisure and shopping destination for the local residents. It will also help rural artisans preserve their heritage of traditional art and craft and sustain their livelihood.

The Ganjam Haat will be a unique amalgamation of art and craft, handlooms and embroidery works from various parts of the state and the country.

The Ganjam pavilion, Belaguntha fish plaza, museum, artist's corner, art emporium and boutique, handicraft kiosk and many more sections are likely to come up in the proposed heritage market.

Mahapatra said: "Out of 5 acres only 30,000sqft area will be utilised for commercial purposes.

In 2007, the development authority had signed an MoU with the Calcutta-based real estate company, Forum Private Limited, for the construction of a Rs 95.78 crore integrated commercial-cum-residential complex with facilities such as shopping malls, hotels and entertainment arcade under the banner Gajapati Plaza.

But this project was dropped due to stiff opposition by political parties.