Work to convert Golebazar moves at slow pace

Sambalpur: The first phase of work to convert the ancient Golebazar, which is a prominent land mark in the city, to a swanky multi-storey market building is moving at a slow pace. The proposed Golebazar market building will be constructed in two phases.
Though a target was set to complete the first phase work, which began in June 2017, within one year, no visible progress has been made. So far, the construction work up to the plinth level of the proposed building has been completed.

Bhusan Power and Steel Limited at Thelkuli and Aditya Aluminum at Lapanga, both in the district, are executing the first phase of work under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In the first phase, a two-storey building with a basement for parking is scheduled to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.

Official sources said it has been proposed to convert Golebazar into a four-storey market building, including the ground floor, in two phases. Around Rs 40 crore will be spent on the total project. While a two-storey building with a basement for parking will be constructed in the first phase, the remaining work will be carried out in the second phase. The second phase of work will also be undertaken under the CSR of various industrial houses operating in the district. There are about 180 shops in the Golebazar area now.

Similarly, more than 200 vegetable vendors have shops in the century-old market, which is spread over an area of 1.5-acre in the heart of the city. The traders, who operate from the market, will be accommodated in the proposed multi-storey building after it is completed.

Land Acquisition Officer, Sitansu Tripathy, who is assigned to monitor the development of the project, said, “The work got delayed due to water leakage from the plot. However, the trouble has been resolved. Two motor pumps had been used to drain out the water oozing out and now, the construction work is picking up pace.”

The Golebazar was established by the Sambalpur Municipality in 1903. It was named after the king of United Kingdom, Edward VIII, when it was established. However, the market is now known as Golebazar because of its round shape. The majority of the population in Sambalpur are dependent on this market for their daily needs.