PMC, when will you clear this mess?

Hawkers' body awaits civic body's approval for a relocation plan that will ease traffic congestion at Juna Bazar

Negotiating the crowd of 700-odd hawkers and their patrons at the historic Juna Bazar in Mangalwar Peth has become increasingly difficult in the last 50 years. The situation is particularly bad on Sundays and Wednesdays, the two market days.

Relocation plan
Juna Bazar Vikreta Sanghatana (JBVS), a representative body of local hawkers, got a noted architect to create a relocation plan that recommends a two-storeyed market, which would ease the crowds.

"We don't like to sell on the road and add to the city's traffic woes. We are ready to shift anywhere if PMC offers us an alternate location," said Nizambhai Kakar, president, JBVS, who submitted the plan to PMC commissioner Mahesh Zagade three months ago.

"No action has been taken so far. We had also suggested that funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) be used if the PMC has no budget provision," Kakar added.

Considering idea
Interestingly, a JNNURM project officer told MiD DAY that the plan was being considered. "We have sought information from other departments including land and estate on the feasibility of the project. We will need specifics like the built-up area required," he said, adding that the process would take eight to 10 days.

A few days ago, the general body of the PMC had proposed new bylaws for hawkers operating in its jurisdiction.

Objections invited
Pravin Ashtikar, deputy commissioner, PMC, said people were invited to offer suggestions and objections on the bylaws.

"Once, the draft bylaws are tabled in the general body and approved, the Juna Bazar will only operate once a week during specific hours.

We will also work out a traffic management plan," he said.