The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has proposed shifting the traders to a designated 85,000 sq ft section of the Park Circus Maidan while the existing market structure undergoes complete demolition and reconstruction.
The plan, however, is meeting pushback from vendors concerned about losing their customer base and daily earnings during the transition period. The urgency for redevelopment was reignited in July 2022, when a portion of the existing market structure collapsed, injuring a shopper and exposing the deteriorating condition of the heritage site. An engineering assessment commissioned by the civic body classified the structure as hazardous and in urgent need of overhaul. While traders acknowledge the risks, their reluctance to relocate underscores the complex balance between public safety and economic survival.
The market, which caters to thousands of daily visitors and supports hundreds of livelihoods, has long suffered from infrastructural fatigue. Discussions around its redevelopment date back over a decade, including a failed attempt involving a private partner that collapsed under pressure from within the trading community. The current initiative is the most advanced yet, with both funding and a temporary relocation site secured. Officials said that a site inspection of the Park Circus Maidan was jointly conducted by municipal engineers and trader representatives five months ago. Despite that outreach, the majority of traders remain unconvinced, demanding relocation to a more proximate site. However, according to KMC engineers and urban planners, no feasible alternative exists in the surrounding area that can accommodate the scale of temporary market infrastructure required.
In a bid to reduce resistance, the municipal administration rolled out an incentive scheme in October 2023, offering a 50 per cent waiver on stall rental charges during the interim period. The scheme has seen limited uptake, with most traders sceptical about customer turnout at the new location. Representatives from the civic body argue that the temporary move is critical, not only to safeguard lives but also to prevent a complete collapse that could result in irreversible loss of property and life. Municipal authorities have stressed the temporary nature of the shift, assuring that the new market structure will be delivered by 2028. The proposed redevelopment includes reinforced market sheds, modernised drainage, renewable energy-based lighting, and equitable access design—all in line with the broader vision for sustainable and inclusive urban development in Kolkata. However, none of these commitments appear to have overcome the apprehensions of a trading community deeply rooted in place and routine.
A senior civic official leading the project reiterated that the market’s present condition is no longer tenable. “Traders must recognise that status quo is not an option. We are looking at a disaster waiting to happen,” said the official, warning of possible liability implications if an incident were to recur and cause further injuries or fatalities. The situation highlights a broader pattern visible in several Indian cities, where heritage markets remain at risk due to aging infrastructure, yet face stiff resistance to change from local stakeholders. While these markets are economic and cultural landmarks, their safety and structural integrity are often overlooked in favour of daily earnings. Urban development experts argue that municipal interventions must prioritise not just infrastructural renewal but also stakeholder engagement and behavioural adaptation.
In the case of Park Circus Market, environmental planners have endorsed the move to a greenfield redevelopment model that would allow the city to incorporate zero-carbon construction methods, energy-efficient lighting, and waste segregation units. These features, if executed effectively, could serve as a model for market renewal projects in other heritage districts of Kolkata. Meanwhile, civic engineers have confirmed that the detailed blueprint for reconstruction has been finalised, with modular stall designs that allow for easy relocation in the future, ensuring resilience against urban shocks such as floods or structural stress. Yet, the success of the project remains tightly bound to community consensus, which so far remains elusive.
Public interest advocates have urged the civic body to engage further with trader groups, possibly through more transparent communication, prototype demonstration stalls, and community walkthroughs at the temporary site. Some have even suggested financial compensation during the relocation period, especially for low-margin vendors, to reduce the economic burden.
