Pics: Harshini Brahmavar 

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD) 

Udupi, Jun 20: Some of the projects of the government, though intended to be helpful to the people, do not really end up in fulfilling their objectives. The newly built Santhekatte weekly market is the best example for this. The market was built in order to resolve the problems in old market premises. The work of the market place is completed months ago. But the place is waiting to be inaugurated. But now it has become the den of illegal activities. 

The existing weekly market place in Santhekatte is in very pathetic condition. Every week, the number of street vendors is increasing. During the monsoon, people are facing more problems. There is lack of proper space for the vendors and lack of parking facility for vehicles, which lead to accidents and also pick pocketing. The heavy crowd in the market is creating traffic problems also. To solve these issues, the new market place was built by the city municipal corporation during the tenure of ex-MLA Pramod Madhwaraj. 

Around Rs 1 crore is spent to build this new facility. The new market place is spread across an area of 17,500 square feet and can accommodate around 85 vendors. The premise is also equipped with water facility, toilet facility, drainage and electricity. 

Though the premise is all set to for the inauguration and start functioning, the reasons behind the delay in inauguration are not known. 

“The new market place has now turned into a den of illegal activities. Many youths during night time come here and drink alcohol. There are many bottles around the premises to prove this fact. Some people come and sleep in this place at night time,” says Richard D’Souza, a local resident. 

People are requesting the administration to open this new premise as soon as possible.