Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/ANK)

Mangaluru, May 26: Officials of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) demolished the old Central Market building here on Wednesday May 26.

It is said that the old building was demolished to construct a new building. Following the coronavirus enforced restriction, the old market building was partially open.

The police and excavators took part in the demolition process. Barricades have been now placed in and around the market by police officials.

Speaking to the media, MCC commissioner Akshy Sridhar said, "A resolution was passed in the MCC council to clear the old Central Market building. A proposal under the Smart City project to build a new market was sent to the state government. The government had approved the project on April 22 of last year. As there was a stay order issued from the court, the old resolution was withdrawn and another notice was issued to vendors. Time to respond to the notice was also provided to the vendors. As per the direction from the court, after hearing the vendors side of the argument, cases were disposed of."

The MCC commissioner then stated that a new resolution was passed in the council which was also forwarded to the government. "Yesterday, we got approval from the state government, which is why today we have started the demolition process. We will hand over the area to the officials of the Smart City project. After clearing the debris, construction of the new building will begin. Vendors can collect their products on Thursday May 27 between 6 am to 9 am," Sridhar said.