Kolkata's proposed book stall in soup
Some 1200 traders operating in the 1917-built College Street market have vehemently opposed KMC’s proposed rehabilitation plans for them.
By TNN |
KOLKATA: Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) grandiose plans to develop the country’s first book mall ‘Barnaparichoy’ on College Street in partnership with Bengal Shelter Housing Development has suffered its first jolt.
Some 1200 traders operating in the 1917-built College Street market have vehemently opposed KMC’s proposed rehabilitation plans for them. Under KMC’s proposal, the book mall will be built over the razed vintage municipal market complex after relocating the 1200-odd traders to nearby Marcus Square.
“We have no objections about KMC’s plans to build the book mall. But KMC has not shown us the blueprint of the project and we are completely in dark about our rehabilitation. Despite several attempts, we haven’t been able to meet KMC officials to discuss these issues,” said Sameer Paul, secretary, College Street Market Byaboshayee Samity (CSMBS) at a press meet held here on Monday.
In fact, CSMBS plans to organise a series of protests over the next ten days -- gherao of the municipal office at College Street market, launch a 24-hours college street market trader’s strike and organise a large-scale protest meeting in the vicinity.
“We may go for bigger protest if the development plan of Barnaparichoy is not made public. After all, some 5000 people earn their livelihood from these shops operating in the market,” said Mr Paul.
KMC and Bengal Shelter had roped in reputed architect Hafeez Contractor to develop Barnaparichoy over 5 lakh sq ft of space. The mall is supposed to combine books with arts and culture, shopping, food and multiplex. The cost of the project is estimated at nearly Rs 250 crore.
Some 1200 traders operating in the 1917-built College Street market have vehemently opposed KMC’s proposed rehabilitation plans for them. Under KMC’s proposal, the book mall will be built over the razed vintage municipal market complex after relocating the 1200-odd traders to nearby Marcus Square.
“We have no objections about KMC’s plans to build the book mall. But KMC has not shown us the blueprint of the project and we are completely in dark about our rehabilitation. Despite several attempts, we haven’t been able to meet KMC officials to discuss these issues,” said Sameer Paul, secretary, College Street Market Byaboshayee Samity (CSMBS) at a press meet held here on Monday.
In fact, CSMBS plans to organise a series of protests over the next ten days -- gherao of the municipal office at College Street market, launch a 24-hours college street market trader’s strike and organise a large-scale protest meeting in the vicinity.
“We may go for bigger protest if the development plan of Barnaparichoy is not made public. After all, some 5000 people earn their livelihood from these shops operating in the market,” said Mr Paul.
KMC and Bengal Shelter had roped in reputed architect Hafeez Contractor to develop Barnaparichoy over 5 lakh sq ft of space. The mall is supposed to combine books with arts and culture, shopping, food and multiplex. The cost of the project is estimated at nearly Rs 250 crore.
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