Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced the concept of constructing a multi-storeyed building near Posta market for the local shopkeepers while inaugurating the Jagadharti Puja of Posta Market Traders Association (PSTA) yesterday. CM Banerjee said, “This market plaza, which we are thinking of constructing near the original Posta market area, will benefit the local businessmen.

It will also make the Posta and Burabazaar market region less crowded.” Chandan Chakraborty, president of P.S.T.A and of West Bengal Vendors Association sees this as a positive move for the locals. He said, “We had a meeting earlier at Dashami along with Firhad Hakim, state minister of urban development and municipal affairs and he said that he is thinking of something for the welfare of the Posta vendors but will announce that idea at the inauguration of our association’s Jagadharthi Puja.

We have already made a blueprint for the multi-storeyed building, decided about the number of floors it will have and the shops that will be built. However, since it is a state government affair, we can’t disclose more information about it. Our CM will declare it at her favourable time.” He further added, “This building is only for the foodgrain shops of Posta market. There are many shops here whose conditions are deteriorating day-by-day and we will give places to those particular shops in the building. On the other hand, we will also organize a food service programme which is the brainchild of our association and will benefit the poor. Meals will be available at very affordable prices.”

The shopkeepers have supported this decision of the chief minister. “This vision of CM will certainly help us to sustain our trade at Posta Market. The condition of shops here is degrading with each passing day. This move will certainly help vendors like us to continue our work from here” said Alok Sharma (40), a wholegrain shop owner. But few shopkeepers contradict this view, “Our CM had promised us about lots of thing, but most of them have remained unfulfilled till now. I can’t deny that if this idea comes into real, it will actually help shopkeepers like us to do trade without any worries. But she didn’t give any time-frame for making this multi-storeyed building. It won’t help me in long-run work”, a middle aged seller remarked.