Lucknow: UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has a ‘gift; for women entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh. A special ‘Mahila Bazaar’ will come up near the Ambedkar Memorial in Gomti Nagar where women entrepreneurs will get space to showcase their wares and handicrafts.
The street, popularly known as Lucknow’s Marine Drive since it runs parallel to the Gomti, has over a dozen halls made of granite in a row. The street was developed during Mayawati regime to allow people to sell fast food but the idea could not gain popularity since the halls are actually open verandas with no shutters or doors.
Now with Mr Akhilesh Yadav giving directives, the space will be allotted to women entrepreneurs According to a senior official in the housing department, the Lucknow Development Authority has been asked to work on details of the plan and find out how many women can be accommodated, what all they can sell and whether any rent would be applicable or not.
A LDA official said that the by-laws do not allow a permanent shutter-kind of shop establishment but traders and shopkeepers can always sell in open spaces and stalls during day time and wind up sale by evening.
“The all-women bazaar will help in utilizing the one kilometre that has been lying idle since 2010 but the nature of shops will prove to be a problem during hot summers and monsoons.
Besides, it will not be feasible for the women to bring and take away their wares every day. We will see whether the by-laws can be changed or altercations can be made”, the official said.
Incidentally, Lucknow will see the launch of two more ‘haats’ (open bazaars) this year. These hubs will include ‘Lucknow Haat’ which spreads across 25 acres in Vibhuti Khand of Gomtinagar and ‘Avadh Shilp Gram’ near Shaheed Path.
