Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, June 29: Construction of new shops at Gandhi Market has drawn sharp criticism for the Municipal Council. According to reports, the civic body initiated the construction work recently for new shops in the Gandhi Market Complex. But the residents of the city allege that the Municipal Council has completely ignored crucial prerequisites before commencing the construction work.
Mohanpura remains the worst affected area of water-logging and rainwater inundation. Shopkeepers of the Gandhi Market complex are the main sufferers as a heavy downpour floods the shops located in the ground floor of the complex. Ironically, the Municipal Council has started construction of the new shops at the floor without any plan to clear rainwater inundation during rainy season.
“Construction of new shops at Gandhi Market stands testimony to the impromptu planning by the Municipal Council. Mohanpura is the worst affected area of rainwater floods and several shops at Gandhi Market gets inundated during heavy rains and flooding in the low-lying area.
But ignoring the aspects related to the safety of the shopkeepers who suffer heavy losses due to floods, the Municipal Council started construction of new shops at Gandhi Market that too at the ground floor. Instead of constructing new shops, the Municipal Council should shift its focus to Parking Lots in the city. Efforts should be made to identify more areas for development of parking lots in the city to decongest the vehicular population,” said some residents of Mohanpura.
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