City Centre Market cries for official attention

The City Centre Market, one of the oldest planned markets in Amritsar, is in dire need of official attention. Established just outside the Inter-State Bus Terminal in 1975, the market has, over the past 50 years, been primarily used for parking buses of private operators. It took years to develop it into a buzzing market as many of the SCOs (shop-cum-offices) were occupied by transporters, mechanics, and tyre dealers. Several SCOs remain vacant due to the poor condition of roads and inadequate infrastructure.

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In 1988, the government relocated traders to green belts of the market after demolishing shops to develop the Galiara around the Golden Temple. However, even after five decades, the market’s roads are in disrepair, sewers are non-functional, and garbage heaps can be seen throughout the area.

Private buses continue to occupy parking spaces in the market. During the rainy season, potholes get filled with water leading to water accumulation for days and sewer water accumulates in streets and vacant areas. The presence of stray dogs and cattle adds to the annoyance of people and non-functional streetlights make the area unsafe at night.

Bhupinder Singh Walia, chairman of the City Centre Welfare Association, said, “A delegation of traders has met the DC and AIT officials several times to discuss the issues plaguing the market. MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur has assured us that the problems would be addressed as tenders have been floated for the replacement of sewer lines. We regularly arrange for super suckers to clear the choked sewer lines. Officials had also assured us that the roads would be re-carpeted, but nothing has been implemented on the ground so far.”

Gursagar Singh, a trader, said, “Though this is a prominent market in the city, it lacks basic facilities. The government should ensure regular cleaning of the area. The garbage dumps and illegal parking spots should be removed.”