Kolkata, Aug 1 (IANS) The state government has asked more than 500 traders at Maidan Market in central Kolkata to vacate the premises, as the market will have to be demolished to construct an underground metro station for the Joka-BBD Bag Metro project (Kolkata Metro Purple Line).
A senior government official said on Saturday that the Public Works Department has ordered the traders to vacate the Maidan Market by August 26.
However, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has asked the government not to evict the traders, but to temporarily move the market for the expansion of the Esplanade Metro.
A major step has been taken as the construction of the Esplanade Metro Station for the Joka–BBD Bag Metro Corridor has progressed. As planned, the Esplanade Metro Station will be built just below Maidan Market.
Therefore, notices have been served to 528 traders in the market for this project. The notification mentions that the traders will have to shift their shops by August 26.
According to administrative sources, arrangements are being made for the temporary rehabilitation of traders at the Mounted Paddock ground of the Kolkata Police. The traders will be relocated after the necessary infrastructure is created.
It is worth noting that there has been long-standing tension over the relocation of traders due to the construction of this metro station. After the change of government in the state, this complication started to subside. It has been learned that the traders of Maidan Market have agreed to relocate.
The Public Works Department has emphasised the need to vacate the market within the stipulated time to start the project work.
Construction work for Victoria Station has already started. The tunnel boring machine has reached the ground up to Victoria Memorial in the Maidan area. In this situation, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited authorities are eager to start the work of the Esplanade Metro quickly.
The project is slated to be completed by May 2028.
–IANS
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