GUWAHATI, Nov 25 � As part of an effort to ensure greater regulation of markets and parking places as well as ensure greater public access to such facilities, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has now decided to encourage private participation in setting up and operating new markets and parking places in the city.
GMC Commissioner S Viswanathan told The Assam Tribune today that any individual or organization having adequate vacant space can approach the civic body in this regard for securing trade licence.
�The fact is that most of the notified markets in Guwahati are presently government-owned. Besides, we are also bringing out new guidelines with regard to parking and city traffic. As such we want to encourage the private players to come forward and help us streamlining the entire effort to give a new and modern look to the city, which is the gateway to the entire North East,� he said.
Viswanathan said that as per the plan private players, including individuals and institutions, can approach the GMC for setting up markets and parking lots.
�We will study their proposals and, if found viable, trade licences will be issued within one month from the date of application. Location, public convenience and financial viability are important,� he said.
As per the plan, the private players will have to only play for the trade licence and they will be entitled to keep all the revenues that accrue from the venture. They need not share any revenue with the GMC.
The civic body will lay out basic guidelines for garbage disposal, drainage, water supply, fire safety and other norms, which the operators have to adhere to.
With the number of vehicles plying in the city's road multiplying every year thus leading to chaos in parking and traffic jams and with most of the current markets located at centralized places, the new measure is expected to ease public access and also help in regulation, he added.
Asked about the encroachment is GMC markets, Viswanathan said a massive eviction drive has already been carried out at the Fancy Bazar GMC Market last week and other markets would be targeted soon.
�We are working to eliminate the syndicates and the encroachers. Besides, licences of people who have not set up shops and stalls despite having valid permit will be cancelled,� he added.
