Team Herald
PONDA: Tension prevailed for the last two days at Banastari bazaar after the vendors were asked to vacate their shops and shift to an open space near Maruti temple at Banastari, for demolishing the market and constructing a new one in its place.
The Portuguese-era Banastari bazaar is crumbling and getting congested. Therefore, the government has decided to demolish the market and construct a new and bigger market in its place.
The foundation for the reconstruction of Banastari bazaar was laid on March 7, this year. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 17.50 crore.
Therefore, the contractor who has bagged the tender asked the market vendors to shift to the open space to start construction of the new market project.
Several vendors complained to Herald that the contractor is harassing them to vacate their shops and shift to the open space which is neither electrified nor has toilet facility. Further, the open space is also not even.
Questioning how they would be able to conduct business during the rains in such a place, the vendors threatened agitation if the contractor forced them to vacate their shops in Banastari market and shift to the open space.
Sensing unrest, the local sarpanch visited the Banastari market and assured the vendors that they would not be shifted to the open space till a shed is erected and light and toilet facilities are made available there.
The foundation for the reconstruction of Banastari bazaar was laid on March 7, this year. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 17.50 crore.
The Banastari bazaar is famous for Chaturthi Matoli bazaar. The need for construction of new bazaar was felt as the market was crumbling and getting congested.
