Sri Vijaya Puram, March 19: In a significant step towards promoting the rural economy and strengthening community engagement, residents of Guptapara Panchayat have successfully initiated a long-awaited plan to establish a weekly rural haat (village market) in the area. The initiative, which had been under discussion for a considerable period, finally materialized with active participation from villagers and members of the local community.
Mr. Prakash Adhikari the Chairperson of South Andaman Zilla Parishad told Andaman Sheekha that a village council meeting (Gram Chaupal) and Gram Sabha were recently organized at Guptapara Chowk, where a large number of villagers gathered to deliberate on the proposal. People from nearby Panchayat areas also attended the meeting, including several elderly residents and community participants, all of whom expressed strong support for the initiative.
During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that the weekly Sunday Market will officially commence from March 22, 2026, and will be held regularly every Sunday thereafter. The market is expected to host a wide range of stalls, including food stalls, juice counters, tender coconut stalls, as well as vendors selling fresh fish, meat, vegetables, and poultry.
The Panchayat representatives have appealed to residents from across the islands to visit the Guptapara Sunday Market and make their purchases directly from local vendors. They emphasized that the initiative will not only provide access to fresh and locally sourced products but will also help enhance the income of small farmers, fishermen, and local traders.
“This market will benefit both buyers and sellers. People will have access to fresh produce, while local vendors will get a reliable platform to sell their goods. It will also contribute to the overall development of the Panchayat,” Mr. Adhikari added.
With growing enthusiasm among villagers, the Guptapara Sunday Market is expected to emerge as a vibrant center of local trade and community interaction in the region.
