Kolkata, July 15 -- The Bengal government has decided to revive the long-pending Barnaparichay Market project with an ambitious plan to shift Kolkata's iconic boi para at College Street into the complex.
KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey, along with Jorasanko MLA Vijay Ojha and senior officials, visited the market on Wednesday and directed officials to improve roads and clear encroachments around the complex.
Ojha said multiple litigations involving the project have delayed its full development. "I have informed the KMC Commissioner about these issues, and she has assured me they will be taken up at the earliest," he said.
Soon after being elected, Ojha had initiated measures to clear garbage and regulate illegal parking around the market.
Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul recently chaired a high-level meeting with officials of KMDA, KMC and booksellers' associations, directing them to prepare a roadmap for developing the nine-storeyed market. At present, only Blocks A, B and C are functional. The project was conceived as a modern book mall during the tenure of former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
KMDA officials said the government would retain the original concept while giving the project a contemporary makeover, with completion targeted by March 2028.
The redeveloped complex will house booksellers under one roof and include parking, modern fire safety systems, storage space, a cafeteria, food court, an auditorium for book launches and literary events, and reading areas.
The surrounding College Street precinct will also be upgraded with decorative lighting, cast-iron railings and granite paver blocks.
The first phase will focus on improving drainage, street lighting and drinking water facilities before phased renovation begins following detailed surveys.
The initiative follows Paul's announcement to redevelop College Street on the lines of London's Oxford Street while finally realising the long-delayed vision of a dedicated book mall in the city's historic publishing hub.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.