Tardy progress in Madikeri market complex work

Rs two-crore project comes to a halt after quick start

The town remains deprived of a decent market area as the work on the new complex has come to a standstill.

The public had been highly hopeful of the project being completed – as the work on the Rs two crore project had started in full swing and the work in the initial stages had been carried out in quick pace. The basement and the ground floors too had been constructed for the market complex.

With the passage of time, however – as the State government continued to delay the payment for the contractors – the work came to a jerking halt.

Now, the vendors are selling their stock of vegetables in open, unhygienic places, while the customers, left with no other option, have been purchasing the same vegetables. The public, overall, is sceptic about the completion of the project, even during the current year.

Parking woes
On Fridays – the day of weekly shandy markets – the crowd in the market place makes it impossible for the vehicles to move. As some park their vehicles disregarding the narrow roads, pedestrians struggle to walk on the road.

‘Release funds’
City Municipal Council member K G Peter has urged the ministers to take steps to release the funds necessary for completion of the work of construction of the market complex. “The interest shown in ground breaking ceremonies, should be shown in sanction of funds, too,” he said.

During the Councillors meet held recently, Peter had raised the issues of unhygienic conditions in the market as well as the woes of vendors and customers.