Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Dec 4: Central Market Merchants' Association demanded to provide an alternative market with basic facilities for all shop keepers working in the present central market.
Addressing media here on Tuesday, December 4, president of the association, M Ahmed Bava said, "A new central market is coming up in PPP model under Smart City project. Smart City meeting was held in the month of August under district in-charge minister U T Khader and Deputy Commissioner (DC). During the meeting it was assured to provide a alternative market, but so far this assurance is not fulfilled."
![](https://daijiworld.ap-south-1.linodeobjects.com/iWeb/tvdaijiworld/images6/rjp_041218_central1.JPG)
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"In a newspaper article about central market it was published that only 132 shopkeepers are occupying the central market. This number has led to confusion among us. We hereby clarify that there are 132 shops of vegetables, grocery and fruits, 342 retail and wholesale shops and 18 flower shops. So we urge to provide alternative market to all these shops existing in the central market before demolishing it," Bava added.
"We support the demolition of central market to construct a new central market. But our demand is that all shopkeepers should have a provision to run their business in the alternative market with all basic facilities," said Bava.
General secretary Janardhana Salian, vice-president Gracy Fernandes and others were present.