The construction of swanky mall at Netaji Flower Market in Sitabuldi is likely to begin in next three months. All the issues have been sorted out and the path is cleared to run tendering process. The only issue remained unresolved is of base value. Nagpur Municipal Corporation has principally agreed to reduce the base value and it will soon be settled, officials of Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MSIDC) feel. The base value is around Rs 290 crore, and the interested buyers want it to be reduced. Nagpur Municipal Corporation was not ready to reduce it due to which the issue remained unresolved. But last meeting between the officials of NMC and the officials of MSIDC was positive. NMC has principally agreed to reduce the base value. In next 3 months, the construction work of this G-18 mall is likely to start.

 

The flower market for which the Netaji market is known for will be shifted permanently to Ganeshpeth. Initially, a temporary arrangement will be made for the flower sellers at the parking area in front of Ganeshpeth Bus Stand of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. Later on, a permanent flower market will be set up on 3-acre land. At present, the land is in possession of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), whom State Government had asked to develop a wholesale and retail flower market. Now, the responsibility is entrusted with NIT. The vendors had raised certain issues pertaining to their ownership rights of ottas, shifting issues. The vendors are afraid that their businesses may not get customers at Ganeshpeth.

 

The official at MSIDC said, “Everything is resolved now. We are not only allotting the ottas to these vendors but also offering ownership rights to them. It has not yet been planned fully but we are mulling over to give shops to some vendors here in the mall. Flower vendors will completely be shifted to Ganeshpeth. Once the project begins, it will take 3 years for the mall to complete. Managing Director of MSIDC Brijesh Dixit is pushing all the market projects hard. Along with Netaji Market, the Cotton Market, Itwara market are at the stage of tendering process while Santra market and Kamal chowk market are stuck on the issue of base value.