Padmanagar integrated market remains non-functional a year after inauguration
The Padmanagar integrated market in Karimnagar, built at a cost of Rs 13 crore under the Smart City programme, remains unused a year after its inauguration. Meanwhile, three more integrated markets are under construction, including a Rs 14.05 crore facility near the Collector’s Camp Office.
Karimnagar: The integrated market constructed in the Padmanagar locality of Karimnagar town has remained non-functional even a year after its inauguration. The market was inaugurated in the last week of January 2025.
Though the allocation of vending platforms and shutters to vendors has already been completed, sales have not commenced as vendors are reluctant to operate business from the market.
The location of the market on the outskirts of the town is cited as the main reason for vendors not occupying the stalls. Sellers are uncertain whether customers will visit the market. Instead of using the platforms allotted to them, vendors continue to sell vegetables, fruits, flowers and other items along roadsides in Ramnagar and other areas.
Initially, a few vendors occupied shops and ran business for a few days. However, they vacated the premises soon after as they failed to attract customers.
Several vendors have completed the registration process but are yet to begin business due to fears over rental payments. Once vending commences, they are required to pay a monthly rent of Rs 1,000 for a platform and Rs 2,500 for a shutter. As a result, vendors are hesitant to occupy the shops allotted to them.
It may be recalled that an integrated market constructed at the Shanivaram market Rythu Bazar premises has also not been fully occupied. While vegetable platforms there are in use, non-vegetarian stalls have found no takers.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 13 crore under the Karimnagar Smart City programme, the Padmanagar facility houses both vegetarian and non-vegetarian markets in the same building spread across 2.08 acres. A total of 239 shops have been developed, including 179 vegetable platforms, 32 non-vegetarian stalls and 14 platforms each for fruit and flower vendors.
Speaking to Telangana Today, private employee Praveen Kumar alleged that municipal officials had washed their hands of the issue after allocating shops to vendors. He said officials should take steps to shift roadside vendors into the market. If roadside sellers were removed, customers would automatically visit the market, he opined.
Apart from the Padmanagar market, three more integrated markets are under development in different parts of the town. While the market coming up in front of the Collector’s camp office is being developed under the Smart City programme, two others are being taken up under the Chief Minister’s assurance funds. All these projects were initiated during the BRS government.
A total of 347 shops are being developed over 2.31 acres of land in front of the Collector’s camp office at a cost of Rs 14.05 crore. These include 228 vegetable stalls, 63 non-vegetarian stalls, 36 fruit stalls and 20 flower stalls.
