Coronavirus outbreak: Markets in Odisha capital shifted to decongest crowd

Bhubaneswar: Taking another precautionary measure to combat COVID-19, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today shifted vegetable market located at Unit-1 area to different places to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing.

In view of public gathering at the local market, the BMC authorities have made arrangements at Adivasi Ground and sports ground near Unit-1 locality for the vendors selling vegetables.

The vendors have been asked to set up the shops maintaining the distance upto 25 metre.

Sources said that the locals markets located at other places will also be shifted to decongest crowd. Similar arrangement will be made to temporarily rehabilitate the street vendors of different market complexes.

The vegetable market at Unit -1 was relocated to two separate places for temporary period till the lockdown restrictions in force, informed BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.

“We have decentralised to maintain social distancing at the vegetable markets. In first phase, Unit-1 market was shifted. All the markets under BMC will be decentralised in next phases,” the official said.

“We are making arrangements to ensure consumers to avail vegetables and groceries at walking distance. The BMC is planning to transform the food vendors into vegetable and grocery vendors. With this, the street food vendors can sell vegetables and groceries maintaining the lockdown norms,” he further said.

As all the eatery shops have been closed as per the lockdown regulations, BMC is considering to allow the vendors to open shops on wheels at various places under its jurisdiction during the lockdown.

“In this regard, we have discussed with the vendors and locals. The decision will be taken shortly,” Chaudhary added.