A consumer space close to village Tah Tajpur, in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, has been refurbished, announces Mrida, a social business venture focused on under-served rural communities.

Now re-launched as ‘Adda’ (hangout) for students and residents of nearby towns and cities, it was originally envisaged as a ‘Grameen Haat’ to develop villages along the Expressway.

It was basically a place to rest and replenish for highway motorists, and provided basic needs like drinking water, first-aid kit, refreshments, and clean toilets, even as it showcased and sold local produce from the farms nearby. But now it has taken on a larger role.

“Villagers do not have to travel to nearby towns to sell goods such as hand-ground spices, washing powder, jams and pickles, vermi-compost, fresh vegetables; they are retailed at the Grameen Haat. Highway commuters can become an integral part of rural development,” said MD Arun Nagpal, who initially set it up for IL&FS.

According to Vaibhav Sharma, Project Head, Moradabad Bareilly Expressway Ltd, “through this relaunch, we are giving a young and fun look to the Grameen Haat to improve footfalls.”

There is supposed to be much on offer at the ‘Adda’, including terracotta crafts by artisans of Nawabganj village, spice powdered by women’s self-help groups of Kishanpur village, plus handicrafts and dresses made by women in the region who have turned entrepreneurs. Perhaps, an interesting place for a stopover?