6 days ago
Kolkata’s Patuli Floating Market Falls Into Neglect After Failed Revival
Patuli Floating Market in Kolkata was meant to be a special shopping place on the water.
It opened in 2018 with about 114 boats for traders.
The market was inspired by floating bazaars in Bangkok.
Many boats were badly damaged by Cyclone Amphan in 2020.
The market was repaired later, but it was not maintained for long.
Its wooden walkways are now broken, and there is garbage and overgrown water plants.
Most sellers have moved to the pavement because very few shoppers visit the market.
The market closed in December 2023, but people believe it could work again if it is rebuilt safely and connected to nearby attractions.
Patuli Floating Market, opened in 2018, was designed with around 114 boats for displaced traders.
The site now has broken walkways, damaged boats, garbage and overgrown water hyacinths.
Vendors say visitors stopped coming after people suffered minor accidents on the damaged walkway.
Supercyclone Amphan damaged more than 90 per cent of the boats in 2020.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation shut the market in December 2023 because of declining footfall and high maintenance costs.
- Who
- The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and traders at Patuli Floating Market are central to the story.
- What
- A floating market has deteriorated, lost vendors and visitors, and was shut down after years of maintenance problems.
- Where
- Patuli, Kolkata, near the Patuli Foodpath.
- When
- The market opened in 2018, was damaged in 2020, and was shut down in December 2023.
- Why
- The market declined because of storm damage, prolonged neglect, unsafe infrastructure, declining footfall and the high cost of maintaining the waterbody.
Key facts
- Opening year
- 2018
- Original capacity
- Around 114 boats
- Storm damage
- Supercyclone Amphan damaged more than 90 per cent of the boats in 2020.
- Renovation cost
- Around Rs 3 crore in 2020
- Closure
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation shut the market in December 2023.
- Current vendors
- Only two to three vendors reportedly continue trading inside the premises.
- Nearby attraction
- The Patuli Foodpath draws hundreds of visitors on weekends.
Sources
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