STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Traders and businessmen have expressed concern regarding the state government's decision to likely relocate the shopping hub of Guwahati, Fancy Bazar, to North Guwahati. This decision was taken in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion. The traders in question predict that this action will negatively impact several thousand traders, resulting in significant losses.
Expressing grief over the decision, one of the traders said, "This cannot be a positive decision by the government as it will totally impact the business in a negative aspect, affecting small-scale businessmen as well. We urge the government to rethink the decision and construct a separate market in North Guwahati."
Another said, "Our establishments are not new; we have been dealing with our business for years, and shifting to a new location will not allow us to have a definite base in the new area. All those years' efforts might just fail if shifted to a new place. There should be an alternate decision in order to save our establishments."
Another added, "It is true that relocation could alleviate congestion, but this cannot be the only solution. Leaving the existing market and making it a new one in a different location might harm the business."
According to sources, there is an indication that the state government is thinking of shifting the wholesale market of Fancy Bazar either to Changsari or North Guwahati. Also, a plan has been initiated in search of an area that will be constructed either in Changsari or North Guwahati to relocate and accommodate the market and traders. This plan aimed to provide all the facilities for the traders, but execution has not been done as suitable plots have not been identified yet.
Earlier, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal mentioned that traffic decongestion is the main priority and that relocating the wholesale market is one of the proposed solutions.
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