Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun the process of shifting major markets (Haats) in the capital city to decentralised alternate locations in view of the alarming rise in the Covid-19 cases.
The decision to relocate the markets has been taken after a detailed discussion of the BMC official with the market association members in the South East Zone. The members unanimously decided upon the shifting of the haats and markets to decentralised alternate locations identified during the first wave of the pandemic for ease of public access as well as safety of citizens and vendors.
As per the decision, the Unit 1 haat will be shifted to Unit 1 High School ground and Unit 4 Vegetable Haat to the Left Hand Side Road connecting Red Cross Bhawan to Shastri Nagar via AG Colony while the Unit 4 Fish Market will be relocated to Right Hand Side of the stretch.
Similarly, Lingaraj Haat will be shifted to Parking Area of New Lingaraj Market Complex, Sundarpada Haat to Road adjacent to Ekamra College, Brahmeswarpatna Haat to Brahmeswar Melana Padia Ground, Nageswartangi Haat to Road connecting Sanatorium Chhaka to Ravi Talkies Square and Sahid Nagar Haat to Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Ground.
Today, shifting of the Unit I haat, Brahmeswar haat and Lingaraj haat have already been initiated. Similarly, the Unit IV haat is being shifted to the roadside near Red Cross in Shastri Nagar, informed BMC zonal deputy commissioner Ansuman Rath.
The Enforcement teams of BDA/BMC with the help of local police will ensure proper enforcement in periodic manner to ensure adherence to the guidelines.