Puducherry traders oppose Goubert Bazaar's redevelopment

16 Jun 2023 CW Team

The plan involves constructing a three-story building in the 2.9-acre area. Each floor will have provisions for two-wheeler parking. The National Building Constructions Corporation (NBCC), acting on behalf of PSCDL, has already issued the tender and work order for the construction. The proposed building will consist of 517 shops on the ground floor, 55 shops on the first floor, showrooms on the third floor, and a basement for adi kaas vendors. It will also include toilets, a hall, and lifts to provide better amenities for shoppers.

However, the traders have concerns about the timely completion of the work, potential business loss during the transition, and uncertainty regarding the re-allotment of shops. A meeting was recently held between District Collector E Vallavan and the market association, but it ended without any resolution. Orleanpet MLA G Nehru states that the officials are aiming to address the traders' concerns and improve the amenities.

Only 20% of the traders have shop allotments in their name, while the rest obtained allotments from previous owners by paying a price. These traders have been operating in the market for around four decades and are worried about their future. Approximately 2,500 individuals would be affected if shops are not allocated to them in the new complex. Additionally, the traders currently pay nominal rent, ranging from Rs 150 to 3,000, which is likely to be significantly increased.

Sundararaj emphasises the need to regularise the allotment of shops by including all existing traders and establishing reasonable rents. He believes that relocating the traders to a faraway place like AFT maidan, even temporarily, would result in a loss of business since customers prefer the current location.

Also read:
Shriram Properties Targets 25% Sales Growth in FY24
Govt seeks data on stalled housing projects, aims to resolve issues

The traders are opposing the plan to demolish Goubert Bazaar (Grand Bazaar) and construct a new and improved facility. They express their reluctance to move to temporary premises. It is stated that the Puducherry municipality intends to use Rs 530 million from the Smart City mission scheme for the renovation. The plan involves constructing a three-story building in the 2.9-acre area. Each floor will have provisions for two-wheeler parking. The National Building Constructions Corporation (NBCC), acting on behalf of PSCDL, has already issued the tender and work order for the construction. The proposed building will consist of 517 shops on the ground floor, 55 shops on the first floor, showrooms on the third floor, and a basement for adi kaas vendors. It will also include toilets, a hall, and lifts to provide better amenities for shoppers. However, the traders have concerns about the timely completion of the work, potential business loss during the transition, and uncertainty regarding the re-allotment of shops. A meeting was recently held between District Collector E Vallavan and the market association, but it ended without any resolution. Orleanpet MLA G Nehru states that the officials are aiming to address the traders' concerns and improve the amenities. Only 20% of the traders have shop allotments in their name, while the rest obtained allotments from previous owners by paying a price. These traders have been operating in the market for around four decades and are worried about their future. Approximately 2,500 individuals would be affected if shops are not allocated to them in the new complex. Additionally, the traders currently pay nominal rent, ranging from Rs 150 to 3,000, which is likely to be significantly increased. Sundararaj emphasises the need to regularise the allotment of shops by including all existing traders and establishing reasonable rents. He believes that relocating the traders to a faraway place like AFT maidan, even temporarily, would result in a loss of business since customers prefer the current location. Also read: Shriram Properties Targets 25% Sales Growth in FY24 Govt seeks data on stalled housing projects, aims to resolve issues

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..