HARIPUR: Shopkeepers of Saddar Bazaar here have refused to vacate shops for construction of a new plaza unless the tehsil municipal administration provides them with an alternative space for running their business.

The TMA has finalised the plan for construction of a five-storey plaza at the place of existing 103 shops of Saddar Bazaar, which in fact was a fruit and vegetable market constructed about four decades ago. However, the fruit and vegetable market was shifted to Darwesh turnaround.

According to Fiaz Khan, one of the shopkeepers, they had been occupying the shops after proper allotment made three decades ago. He said that now all of a sudden the TMA had come up with a plan for construction of a plaza without taking them into confidence.

He claimed that as per site plan the plaza would be completed in three years, but there was no plan for the existing over 100 tenants to continue their business.

Abdullah Khan, another shopkeeper, said that after dismantling the existing shops their businesses would be virtually closed for coming three years. He said their children could not wait for three long years as they would need three-time meal and expenses for their education.

He said that unless TMA allotted them alternative space for their businesses they would not vacate their shops. He said the shopkeepers had moved a court against the notices for vacation of shops.

The provincial government, according to Engineer Javed Khan, has given a go-ahead for the project. Sharing the site plan of plaza, he told this correspondent that Rs1 billion had been allocated for the plaza to be built over 18 kanals. He said the shopkeepers of Saddar Bazaar would be given priority in allotment of shops.

Abrar Alvi, the tehsil officer revenue, said the project would create opportunities of earning livelihood for hundreds of people.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021