Mapusa market to get a new look: Canopy, host of additional facilities

All lanes to be paved, vendor space to be demarcated, 10-metre ring road for vehicular movement, utility services to go underground

| DECEMBER 03, 2017, 03:43 AM IST
Mapusa market is in for a new look. The Portuguese-era Mapusa market will get a chic look giving it the much-needed liveliness and colour, but still maintaining the traditional ambience.
In an effort to provide all climate convenience, the whole market will get a canopy, existing buildings will be upgraded and a host of utility services like electrical, plumbing, telephones, etc will go underground.
All the insides lanes will be paved in a different set of colours while there will be a 10-metre ring road on the periphery for vehicular movement.
Vendor space will be demarcated and a dedicated pedestrian space is also created in the new plan.
As per the plans, the market will be developed in two phases. In the first phase, the first three lanes which includes cloth merchants lane, Dangui Opticians lane, Café Corner lane and the two extreme side lanes - one adjacent to the KTC bus-stand and the other adjacent to the fish market will be taken up for renovation.
The development of area housing the flower market and the shops around it and the back Paradise Pharmacy lane will be taken up in the second phase.
The area around the Shakuntala statue will be developed into a central atrium space to create a sense of direction for visitors.
As per plans, the current market will get a roof cover without carrying out any major demolition to the existing structures by creating an independent roofing structure.
"The roof will be structurally independent without taking any major support from the current building, making it easier to upgrade the current buildings in future," said Ashwinikumar Prabhu the architect who has drawn up the plan.
The basic aim to cover the entire market is to make shopping experience convenient in all climatic conditions with dedicated demarcated space for street vendors within.
The detailed plan has already been shown to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza, all councillors of Mapusa Municipal Council and the members of the Mapusa Merchants Committee.
------------------------------------
BOX
THE BASIC BLUEPRINT
UPGRADATION OF SERVICES: In an attempt to revitalize the market a host of services will be upgraded in the market.
All internal roads of the market will be paved using paver blocks. The area meant for temporary vendors (those who arrive for Friday market) will be demarcated in separate coloured pavers.
A provision for separate underground ducts will be made for electrical, plumbing, wifi/broadband, telephone and other utility services which will be covered with different coloured pavers for easy identification in the future.
HYGIENE: New toilet blocks will be constructed and existing ones will be renovated to cater to the vendors/shopkeepers and visitors. Plans are afoot to draw up a mechanism for maintenance of the toilets.
The nullah on the southern side of the market will be cleaned and maintained while drinking water fountains will be strategically placed all around the market.
LIGHTING: As per the plans, decorative lighting fixtures will be installed preferably with photovoltaic cells, to add to the overall character of the market.
SIGNAGES: Proper signages will be placed throughout the market to make the space user friendly.
Share this