The construction of an underground commercial complex - similar to Palika Bazaar in Delhi - has been proposed by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation at Pimple Saudagar under a Smart City project that is set to cost at least Rs 45 crore.
"The project will be built at the high capacity mass transit route (HCMTR) at the Kokane chowk," Vijay Bhojane, the spokesperson for the BRTS cell, told TOI.
Like Palika Bazaar, the underground market will have shops to cater to a wide range of shopping needs, officials said. From fresh produce and confectionaries to high-end electronics, designated shops will be selling almost everything found in conventional markets. As a bonus, shoppers will not have to fight for space with motorised traffic. If plans work out, they will also be able to have a more pleasurable shopping experience insulated from unpredictable weather conditions - be it rain or skin-scorching shine - and vehicular fumes.
Giving more details, Bhojane said: "There will be 55 shops, each with an area of 270 sq.ft. These will include shops selling flowers, fruits, ice cream, cosmetics, cakes, electronic gadgets, boutiques among others. Half of the shopping complex will be covered by a concrete slab, on which, vehicles on the HCMTR service road will ply. There will be shops below the road. There will also be an open space with world class landscaping/street furniture in the middle of this large complex.
"Also, escalators will be installed for people to access the underground complex, which will have a small cascading garden. A gadget shop at a corner will be selling the best gadgets. Efforts will be made to set up a shopping complex of international standards, comparable to the ones in the western countries. It will be an innovative attraction in the city," he added.
He said the proposal will be put up for approval before the board of directors of the Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City at its meeting. The suggestions of the directors will be included. After that, the final plan of the complex will be prepared.
Pimpri Chinchwad was included in Union government's smart city project in the second phase. Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav have been selected for the area-based development.
Pimple Saudagar is one of the most developed areas in the city where a large number of IT professionals and professionals from other fields reside as it is close to the Hinjewadi IT park and Pune city. Nashik phata-Wakad and Sangvi-Kiwale BRTS routes pass through Pimple Saudagar providing it good road connectivity to various parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities.
Underground shopping zones have been seen as a potential replacement for above-ground markets that witness heavy footfall. A similar project was launched in West Bengaluru last year. But progress of that project - called the Palike Bazaar - has run into problems. The hi-tech air-conditioned market, also planned on the lines of New Delhi's Palika Bazaar, has already missed the deadline. And the dug-up stretch, construction material strewn all around and shrunk road space are only adding to the mess.
The capital's version of the underground market, built in the 70s, has not been without problems either. Fire remains a notorious hazard at Palika Bazaar, where Delhi police and the fire brigade carry out regular drills to keep up effective response and evacuation times.
"The project will be built at the high capacity mass transit route (HCMTR) at the Kokane chowk," Vijay Bhojane, the spokesperson for the BRTS cell, told TOI.
Like Palika Bazaar, the underground market will have shops to cater to a wide range of shopping needs, officials said. From fresh produce and confectionaries to high-end electronics, designated shops will be selling almost everything found in conventional markets. As a bonus, shoppers will not have to fight for space with motorised traffic. If plans work out, they will also be able to have a more pleasurable shopping experience insulated from unpredictable weather conditions - be it rain or skin-scorching shine - and vehicular fumes.
Giving more details, Bhojane said: "There will be 55 shops, each with an area of 270 sq.ft. These will include shops selling flowers, fruits, ice cream, cosmetics, cakes, electronic gadgets, boutiques among others. Half of the shopping complex will be covered by a concrete slab, on which, vehicles on the HCMTR service road will ply. There will be shops below the road. There will also be an open space with world class landscaping/street furniture in the middle of this large complex.
"Also, escalators will be installed for people to access the underground complex, which will have a small cascading garden. A gadget shop at a corner will be selling the best gadgets. Efforts will be made to set up a shopping complex of international standards, comparable to the ones in the western countries. It will be an innovative attraction in the city," he added.
He said the proposal will be put up for approval before the board of directors of the Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City at its meeting. The suggestions of the directors will be included. After that, the final plan of the complex will be prepared.
Pimpri Chinchwad was included in Union government's smart city project in the second phase. Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav have been selected for the area-based development.
Pimple Saudagar is one of the most developed areas in the city where a large number of IT professionals and professionals from other fields reside as it is close to the Hinjewadi IT park and Pune city. Nashik phata-Wakad and Sangvi-Kiwale BRTS routes pass through Pimple Saudagar providing it good road connectivity to various parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities.
Underground shopping zones have been seen as a potential replacement for above-ground markets that witness heavy footfall. A similar project was launched in West Bengaluru last year. But progress of that project - called the Palike Bazaar - has run into problems. The hi-tech air-conditioned market, also planned on the lines of New Delhi's Palika Bazaar, has already missed the deadline. And the dug-up stretch, construction material strewn all around and shrunk road space are only adding to the mess.
The capital's version of the underground market, built in the 70s, has not been without problems either. Fire remains a notorious hazard at Palika Bazaar, where Delhi police and the fire brigade carry out regular drills to keep up effective response and evacuation times.
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