Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to redevelop the iconic New Market area situated near Patna Junction, and for this it is planning to hire an agency to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and oversee the conversion of the existing structure into a modern multilevel shopping complex.The redevelopment is expected to end the perennial issues of encroachment by vendors and traffic jams.Currently having ground-floor structures that contribute to congestion and detract from the aesthetic appeal of the railway station in the vicinity, the area is scheduled to be replaced by a G+3 structure, said a senior executive at the PMC on the condition of anonymity.This new facility is designed to streamline the urban landscape by relocating the vendors currently operating around Patna Junction into a centralised and organised environment.The officer further said the scope of this redevelopment project spans the corridor starting from Mahavir Mandir and extending to the General Post Office. Unlike the existing New Market, which lacks basic infrastructure for both visitors and vendors, the proposed complex will integrate essential modern amenities, including public washrooms, filtered drinking water stations, and lift facilities for vertical accessibility.To address the persistent traffic issues in the city centre, the plan incorporates two dedicated basement levels especially for parking. Beyond its function as a commercial hub for traditional goods, the complex is expected to host a variety of restaurants and eateries, creating a comprehensive social and retail destination that aligns with the broader modernisation goals for the capital city.The official added that all of this is in the planning stage and can only be finalised once the DPR is made.
