KMDA overhauls Patuli floating market

Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is overhauling the floating market at Patuli, adjacent to Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The market, the first of its kind in the country, similar to the floating market at Pattaya in Bangkok, had started functioning in January this year.

"We will be installing solar panels for electricity in the market. The West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), which is the state nodal agency for implementation of non-conventional energy programmes in the state, has already prepared a DPR for this," a senior official of KMDA said.

The official informed that they are also constructing a food court in the premises of the floating market, where tea and a variety of snacks will be served at a reasonable price.

Apart from purchasing things, the market, particularly in the evening, has already turned into an adda destination for the local people in the

area.

The seating arrangement in and around the waterbody will also be enhanced, so that people can come and spend time there comfortably.

It may be mentioned that Shaktiman Ghosh, general secretary of the National Hawkers Federation, has sent a proposal to KMDA, urging it to construct some sheds for the buyers with the monsoon season setting in.

"We have also sought more lights at some places and two more fountains in the waterbody. KMDA has agreed and work will begin soon," Ghosh said.

The market has four zones - one for fish, one for chicken, mutton and eggs, the third for vegetables, fruits and flowers and another for grocery and miscellaneous items.

"However, customers want to have the vegetables and fishes side by side. We have also asked KMDA to reorganise the position of hawkers," Ghosh said. The market has 228 sellers sitting on 114 boats.

The KMDA will also construct a toilet in an adjacent area of the floating market. The wooden ramps set up on a platform made of saal wood, on which people travel over the surface of the water for shopping in the market, are also being repaired with the onset of monsoon.

An engineer in KMDA pointed out that the local councillor has also urged them to beautify a waterbody located in the southern side of the floating market.

Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim, who is also the chairman of KMDA, has also shown his interest in the project. "A scheme in this regard has been placed before the Technical Appraisal Committee. As soon as it gives the nod, work will begin," the engineer said.