'Re-develop Crawford Market only if citizens support it'

Express news service

Mumbai, February 20 While the debate on Crawford Market is still alive with popular opinion supporting re-development by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation itself, instead of private parties, the parliamentary standing committee of commerce and industries which was in the city on Wednesday said that re-development should be carried out only after taking into consideration the views of citizens.

The committee lead by MP Dr K Keshava had visited the heritage Crawford Market earlier in the day and then chaired a meeting with traders, retailers and officials from various local markets. The committee is here to study the impact of malls on small markets and foreign and domestic investment in retail sector. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Keshava said that the existing market re-development plan of the BMC was one of the best ones.

When asked about the controversy of Crawford Market re-development, Keshava said that the BMC should take into consideration the views of citizens and elected representatives. "If the citizens are happy and comfortable with it, there should be no problem," he said.

The committee which also visited numerous malls in the city, questioned the civic body that after the re-development of the market whether there was any plan to ensure the vendors compete with malls. Retailers and other small traders complained that the facilities provided in the municipal markets were not good and despite funds repairs were not carried out.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Kishore Gajbhiye said, "It is our duty to upgrade the markets and construct them as there is demand for it. If we can issue new licences to the non-licensed vendors and allow them to use the place in municipal markets, then even we can compete with the private players."

Keshava assured traders that the Centre has not allowed foreign investment in retails but yet malls were engaging in retail business. "The growth of retail market is 10 per cent and it will double in the next 10 years, so there is no need for small traders to worry about. However, they must get the basic infrastructure," he said.

The committee comprising 13 officers and 5 MPs are on a visit to Indore, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

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