MCC to repurpose shops in Urwa mkt complex

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to repurpose the shops in the new market complex at Urwa Market, which has remained shut ever since it was inaugurated in 2019. The Muda spent Rs 12.3 crore to construct the three-storey market complex, which has nearly 85,000sqft built-up area and a parking facility. However, the market complex could not be made functional. Vendors, who were shifted to a temporary market yard when the project was taken up in Dec 2016, have been demanding the MCC provide proper facilities at the market complex.

Inside the Urwa Market complex, provisions are made for fish/meat stalls, vegetable, fruit and flower stalls, a canteen, and premises for other business establishments. The then district minister of Dakshina Kannada, B Ramanath Rai, laid the foundation stone for the market complex in 2016. Later, the then urban development minister UT Khader inaugurated it on Jan 27, 2019.

Deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan, who is also the administrator for the MCC, told reporters that there are flaws in the design of the Urwa Market. The space in outlets developed for vendors is not sufficient, and it will not be convenient for them to use. Hence, the shops in the building need to be repurposed, and a report in this regard has been prepared.

On the new Market Complex at Kadri, the DC said that the work is nearing completion, and the shop allocation process has already been completed. The interior work on the market complex is in progress. All merchants have been asked to shift from the temporary market to the new complex by June 1, the DC said.

Meanwhile, the structural work on the new Market Complex being developed at Kankanady is ready, and the interior works are in progress. The market complex, with a lower basement, upper basement, lower ground floor, upper ground floor, and six floors, will have space for vehicle parking, vegetable shops, a supermarket, other shops, and office premises.