The city will soon have a Crafts Bazaar on lines of Silparamam in Hyderabad. The proposed Crafts Bazaar would come up near Alankar theatre on the bunds of Ryve’s of Canal.
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) will construct the ‘semi-permanent’ Crafts Bazaar in a stretch of 1.5 km to 2 km starting from Alankar theatre. The Corporation estimated that the project would cost Rs. 45 lakh. A floating dais, and an open air theatre with seating capacity of 200 to 300 would be special attraction, says Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu.
The bazaar will be developed exquisitely with mud flooring, terracotta, tiles roofs for the shops. The boating activity will be developed in the canal from Alankar theatre to Doondi restaurant and beyond. A retaining wall was also being planned. About 35 shops will come up at the bazaar, and seasonal sellers like Nepalis who sell sweaters and pullovers will be encouraged to utilise the premises.
The Corporation is also considering the organising of annual festivals of arts and crafts where artisans can put on display their produce to help them establish direct contact with the customers. It will become one of the best shopping areas in near future. The cultural programmes on occasions like Ugadi can be organised there.
The bazaar will also help in checking the anti social elements which were spoiling the environs of Sambamurthy Road. The stretch of road and bund was also being used for open defecation. The bazaar will address these problems as well. This apart, the bazaar will help in augmenting revenues of the Corporation. The Corporation would invite tenders shortly for the project, he says.
