Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled an extensive redevelopment plan for the Unit-4 Non-Veg retail market, aiming to resolve chronic congestion, improve hygiene, and upgrade civic infrastructure in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs.
According to officials, the new design includes modernised retail shops, designated parking zones, an organised slaughterhouse, widened internal roads, and an upgraded waste management system. The market, which attracts heavy footfall—especially on Sundays—has long struggled with haphazard parking, roadside encroachment, and unregulated commercial expansion, causing daily inconvenience for residents, vendors, and shoppers.
As part of the redevelopment drive, shopkeepers occupying spaces without authorization have been instructed to vacate immediately. Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against violators who fail to comply.
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das highlighted the urgent need for cleanliness and responsible waste disposal across the market. She criticised the practice of dumping meat waste in open areas and directed vendors to deposit waste only in plastic drums. The Mayor further assured that dustbins would be provided and waste would be collected regularly by BMC vehicles.
“BMC Mayor directed us to keep the surroundings clean. Vendors used to dump their waste here and there, causing inconvenience. She said we will be provided with dustbins and the BMC vehicle will collect the waste,” a vendor said.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, who inspected the market along with the Mayor, stressed the need for systematic reorganisation. “This market generally sees a huge rush on Sunday. After reviewing, we found that the market needs a complete restructuring. We have identified parking places, and encroachments will be cleared in a day or two. While the wholesale market will be shifted, a systematic market will be set up for the retailers,” he said.
He added that separate parking spaces have been earmarked for traders and customers, ensuring smoother movement within the market once redevelopment is complete.
The BMC is expected to begin the first phase of clearing encroachments and reorganising traffic flow in the coming days, marking a significant step towards transforming Unit-4 into a cleaner, safer, and more organised marketplace.
-OdishaAge
