Demand for additional facilities, repairs prior to making it operational
TURA: The recently completed Ringrey Marketing Hub constructed by the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) has come under the scanner of the public with stall owners expressing safety concerns and refusing to shift their business into it unless additional basic facilities are provided as well as further renovations done to ensure the safety of all concerned.
The safety concerns were raised during a meeting held recently in the office chamber of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) where stall owners also questioned the absence of a parking facility as proposed in the approved plan of the construction.
The CEO of the TMB, Z.J. Sangma had at the time absolved himself of all blame stating that the building was constructed during the tenure of his predecessor and the then CEO of the TMB.
With regard to the shifting of the stalls to the newly completed building the members present felt that the time was not yet rife as they observed that cracks and leakages had already appeared on the building putting its structural safety in question.
The members felt that rectification of the surface damage have to be done without fail before shifting of the stalls to the new building is even considered. They were also firmly of the view that shifting cannot be done without acquiring a safety certificate from the competent authority.
The members also rued the fact that there was no proper drainage system in and around the marketing facility and demanded the same.
It also observed that the room rents of the new building was much higher as compared to the Tura Super Market which happens to be in the main commercial area of the town and demanded that the same be lowered.
Meanwhile, questions have also been raised on whether it was justified for the TMB to charge an amount of Rs.1 lakh as security deposit from the stall owners when the building was constructed under BRGF.
The stall owners for the time being have stood firm on their decision not to shift to the new building but assured that it would have no objection to shift if and when the problems mentioned by them (including provision of parking facility) have been looked into and rectified.