Vadodara: There seem to be no takers for the shops of the Ratri Bazaar of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Ajwa Road. It has been nearly a year since the market was formally dedicated to the public.
After the first Ratri Bazaar at VUDA Circle, the VMC had decided to have such a facility in each of the zones of the city. Ratri Bazaars are markets with eateries that remain open till the early hours of the day and begin operations only late in the evening.
The Ajwa Road Ratri Bazaar was inaugurated by the civic body in August last year. It was only after the formal inauguration that the lease rates and deposits for the shops there were finalised and the civic body put up advertisements for leasing them out.
Despite repeated attempts nobody came forward to take the shops at the market on lease. The civic body had sought a rent of Rs 6 lakh per shop per annum and an equal amount as deposit for a term of three years.
With nobody coming forward to take the shops on lease, the VMC is now looking to reduce the lease to Rs 5 lakh per annum and has sought an equal amount as deposit. The civic body has put up a proposal in this regard before the standing committee that will take up the matter for discussion.
The market has 35 shops with an area of 24 square meters each. Apart from the shops, the market has common amenities like washrooms, security office and covered sitting areas.
VMC is now looking to reduce the lease to Rs 5 lakh per annum and has sought an equal amount as deposit