RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, July 7: The Jharkhand government’s plan to construct 200 shops and a multi-level parking at 3-acre open space of Bakri Bazar in the biggest marketing hub, Upper Bazar, has upset the residents.
Durga Puja is organized every year with pomp and show and throughout the year the place is being used by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) to keep its machinery and other equipment at this plot.
An urban development department source said that soon the Bakri Bazar, which is the only open space in the marketing hub, will become non-existent as there is a plan to construct multi-level parking and 200 shops at the place.
“Our department has given the nod to the project and asked the JUIDCO to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The JUIDCO has also started the process for appointment of a consultant for preparing a DPR and has invited proposals from consultants. Last date given to consultants to send their proposal is July 26. Next month a survey will be started to ascertain the traffic load in the locality to ensure the shape and size of multilevel parking,” the source said.
Contacted town planner of Ranchi Municipal Corporation Arun Kumar for his comment on the issue he directed the question towards executive engineer (EE) Sanjeev Kumar of the engineering section. EE Kumar suggested contacting JUIDCO officials for any comment on the matter.
“RMC has nothing to do with this project. We do not have any information in this regard. Our knowledge is limited to what is published in a newspaper in the matter,” Kumar said.
Contacted JUIDCO secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey for his comment, he did not take a call. Whatsapp messages to him also remained unresponded.
Meanwhile, as the matter reached before the locality residents and businessmen they expressed their concern over the situation.
“It is God’s grace that there is an open space left in the goat market of Upper Bazaar. If it is put to good use in making a sports ground, it will be right. A parking space can be left on the side of the field. Bakri Bazar is the only place left where public events can be held and the grand Durga Puja is also being organized over the years. But the Jharkhand government is eager to do construction work in it so that even a small amount of open space is closed,” a businessman, who did not want to be identified, said.
“It is strange that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about free space for children to play and the Jharkhand government wants to use all open spaces for constructing buildings and other infrastructure. First, the government carried out construction work in Zila School and deprived children of their playground and now eying the Bakri Bazar,” another resident said.
A lady echoed the same saying “the government should think about developing the market at Pandra instead of touching the Bakri Bazar.” “Touching the open space of Bakri Bazar for construction work is like choking the lungs of the market,” she said.
Contacted FJCCI president Kishore Mantri, he said he had just wanted a paid parking space and has no idea what the JUIDCO is planning to give? He, however, did not oppose the idea of constructing shops and a multilevel parking.
10 years ago, four acres of land were earmarked for a similar project but the same could not materialize. Now out of four-acre land, one acre has been reduced after construction of a water storage tower. As many as 50 houses have also cropped up in the land.
A senior official of JUIDCO said it will be too early to talk about the project.
