Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started work on a major infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the Odisha capital.
The civic body plans to relocate the historic Unit-I wholesale vegetable market to a newly proposed integrated trading complex at Bhagabanpur.
The ₹45 crore project is expected to improve traffic flow in central Bhubaneswar while modernising the city’s wholesale vegetable distribution network.
New Wholesale Market Planned Near NH-16
The upcoming wholesale market complex will be developed on a 9.36-acre site at Bhagabanpur, located close to National Highway 16. Officials believe the location will provide better regional connectivity for transport vehicles and reduce heavy truck movement inside the city.
The existing Unit-I wholesale market, functioning since 1957, currently operates on a congested four-acre plot and handles more than 200 truck movements daily. The market accommodates around 49 wholesale vendors and often faces issues related to traffic jams, sanitation and emergency access.
Modern Infrastructure Planned at Bhagabanpur Facility
According to BMC officials, the new facility will feature modern logistics and trading infrastructure designed to support large-scale wholesale operations.
Key features of the project include:
- Double-storey trading blocks with specialised industrial flooring
- Dedicated loading and unloading bays
- Wide internal circulation roads for smooth vehicle movement
- Large truck parking areas
- Solar power systems and energy-efficient lighting
- Rainwater harvesting infrastructure
- Driver rest rooms and public sanitation facilities
- Landscaped public spaces and kiosks
The civic body also plans to include advanced stormwater drainage and fire detection systems to improve operational safety and sustainability.
BMC Invites Turnkey Project Proposals
The BMC has invited bids for the project on a turnkey basis. The selected agency will be responsible for the design, engineering, construction and maintenance of the market complex for three years after completion.
Narad Chandra Rath stated that the corporation’s engineering wing will monitor the execution process closely.
Officials have set a target of completing the project within two years after the contract is awarded.
Project Expected to Improve Traffic and Sanitation
The relocation of the wholesale vegetable market is expected to significantly reduce congestion in central Bhubaneswar, particularly around the busy Unit-I area.
Civic authorities believe the new logistics-oriented hub will improve urban traffic management, strengthen supply chain efficiency and address long-standing sanitation and safety challenges at the current market.
The initiative is also being viewed as part of Bhubaneswar’s broader urban modernisation and infrastructure development efforts.
