Sambalpur, Aug. 29: Residents, who depend on the Budharaja vegetable market in ward No. 28 of the Sambalpur Municipality for their daily needs, may find shopping a convenient experience shortly.

The market that caters to the residents of Budharaja, Shanti Nagar, Bhimabhoi Nagar, Jagannath Colony and other areas of the city to meet their vegetable requirements is going in for a makeover.

Councillor of ward No. 28 Sushanta Dansana said: “The municipality has a proposal for the market’s development. The muddy floor will be cemented. The estimated budget for the concrete flooring work is Rs 4.50 lakh. Similarly, the Western Odisha Development Council will provide fund for the construction of a drain along the market. The work will start at the earliest.”

The market has been lying neglected ever since its inception.

“Earlier, the vegetable market was situated along Deheripali Road in the city. However, it had to be shifted to a land near Professor Colony of Budharaja in the early 90s to facilitate the flyover construction in front of Gangadhar Meher College. However, the authority did not take steps to refurbish the market after it was shifted to this place,” said Deepak Panda, a local resident.

“The muddy surface of the market creates inconvenience for both the customers and the vendors. During rains, the condition becomes more pathetic. Major parts of the market floor are yet to be cemented. The civic body is yet to construct drain along the market,” he said.

“There is also lack of parking space in the market. It does not have a proper platform to load and unload goods here,” said a customer, Sadananda Barik.

“The city has expanded. The population of the city has also increased. It needs more number of organised markets. But, the existing markets are lying neglected in the city. Because of the unhygienic condition, the inflow of customers to the Budharaja market have decreased,” said Gopinath, a vendor in the market.