Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 2: Surathkal market, which has the distinction of being the huge investment government run market in the state, is standing like a ghost house. The initial technical hiccups are the reason for stalling of work.

Due to Covid and a shortfall in grants, the work of Surathkal market was stopped for two and half years. The Mangaluru City Corporation released Rs 10 crore and state government released Rs 51 crore for the first phase construction of four storey building. Slab and walls of the market are completed from these funds. As the work was taking pace, Covid pandemic arrived. Later, the contractor stopped work asking for more grants as the prices of materials shot up.

In the new market there will be around 500 shops which include vegetable, fish, hotel, grocery shops and bus station also. The flooring is ultra-modern and the design is attractive. In the temporary market more than 250 vendors are doing business. There are more than 70 vegetable and fruit vendors. Ultra-modern system is done for meat and fish selling areas. Priority is given for parking with car and two wheeler parking facility.

The vendors are showing their frustration as they were assured of giving them new shops in 2020. They are carrying out their business in small shacks like shops right now. The space is so less that the vendors have encroached on the pathway kept for people to walk.

During monsoon rain water flows from elevated areas and accumulates in the basement of the market turning it into a virtual swimming pool. In addition, underground drainage water also flows from various parts of the area near the market. Cleanliness during the monsoon will be a big challenge. Many migrant families live around the present temporary and MUDA market and their lives will be in danger due to fear of dengue and malaria.