Bagalkot to get a mega market at Navanagar

Time of India

7 hours ago

Bagalkot: A blueprint for the construction of a mega market yard spread over 200 acres in Navanagar third unit of Bagalkot has been prepared. The estimated cost is Rs 380 crore and the proposal will soon be submitted to the govt.
Bagalkot which has the tag of a submerged town has been split in three parts — Bagalkot, Navanagar and Vidyagiri. Though there are markets in all three suburbs, the traders are not happy with the business turnover. They have been demanding for decades, construction of a mega market yard at one place so that they could do business with ease.
They had also submitted a memorandum in this connection to MLA HY Meti, who is the chairman of Bagalkot Town Development Authority (BTDA).
Taking a serious cognisance of the demand, Meti had convened a meeting of BTDA officers and directed them to prepare a detailed report for reserving 200 acres for the construction of a mega market yard in new Navanagar third unit which is coming up.
A proposal had been sent to the urban development department to get 200 acres out of 1,600 acres in Navanagar third unit converted from residential into commercial land. But the urban development department has written back saying a suitable decision could be taken at the Bagalkot Urban Development Authority (Buda) meeting as Bagalkot has a town development authority.
Now, the ball is in the court of Buda but there are apprehensions about a favourable decision. Sources said the hurdles due to technical reasons could be overcome if the govt intervenes.
The blueprint prepared presents a beautiful picture of the market yard. It contains provision for sale of essential commodities, food park, hospitality sector, retail trading, luxury market, emergency services, parking facility, rain water harvesting and public toilets among others.
Since Navanagar third unit lies in the heart of the city, it is expected to be convenient for the residents of Bagalkot, Navanagar and Vidyagiri and pave the way for a drastic increase in business.
MLA Meti said the blueprint for the centralised market yard is ready and it will be approved after consulting the traders and other stakeholders. "Efforts will be made to start construction at the earliest," he said.