Pune: Laxmi Road traders now want to shift their markets out of Peth areas

Shikha Chaurasia

Pune, June 23, 2020: After a series of lockdowns, the city is now experiencing unlock 1.0 phase. Laxmi road, one of the oldest markets in Pune city has served the people of Pune for decades. But due to adverse impacts of Covid-19, the shopowners are suffering from financial losses.

The traders of Laxmi market now want out of the congested roads, narrow lanes and traffic caused due to all this. Due to the pandemic of Covid-19, traders fear that their businesses won’t sustain. People won’t prefer to come out for shopping in these congested areas where social distancing can’t be followed and the risk of contracting the virus is high. Also, many containment zones exist near the Laxmi market.

The Federation of All Trade Associations of Pune is one of the largest body of traders. They have given a proposal to the district administration seeking a land of 800 acres owned by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) in the suburbs of the city, close to the ring road to relocate their markets.

In their proposal, they have said that the main problem is Coronavirus pandemic and other pre-existing issues like congestion, traffic problems and lack of parking space. The Pune divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar was convinced to a certain extent and told the federation to make a detailed proposition and address every issue properly.

Fatechand Ranka, the president of the Federation of All Trade Association said that the shops are closed since the past 3 months and the aftermath of Covid-19 is sustaining for too long. “We have no option but to move out from Laxmi Road”, he said.

Considering the demands submitted by the Federation, the Divisional Commissioner Dr Mhaisekar said that they should prepare a joint proposal keeping in view the convenience of all. In addition to the accommodation facilities of the workers, they should consider the transportation system for getting to and from the workplace, drinking water, electricity, fire extinguishing system, transportation of goods, the storage capacity of goods, warehouses required for goods etc. Care should be taken to avoid traffic congestion while transporting the goods.

District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said that given the growing population and crowded places in Pune city, the district administration will make every effort to provide land as per the demands made by the traders.

The federation has said that the proposal will be ready in the next few days when the meeting is to be scheduled.