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Visakhapatnam Feb. 11 There is a necessity for setting up more wholesale markets on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, as in Chennai and New Delhi, to decongest the city and avoid traffic snarls, according to Praja Spandana, a forum for public welfare.

At a press meet here on Saturday, Mr C.S Rao, President of the forum, appealed to all parties contesting the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation elections later this month to focus on the vital aspect of city development.

He said the age-old Poorna Market in One Town area, in the heart of the city, had outlived its usefulness and there was no point in spending anymore funds on improving the conditions in the market. "It will prove counterproductive. Instead, wholesale markets should be set up on the outskirts at Madurawada, Anandapuram, Pendurthi and Gajuwaka. This will divert the truck from the outskirts and traffic snarls can be avoided," he said.

He suggested that the vacated Poorna Market area could be used for providing accommodation to slum-dwellers or it could be developed into a park.

The forum felt that there was hardly any lung space in the city and the vacant old central jail area should be used for the purpose. It should not be put to commercial use, he said.

He appealed to all parties to take a long-term view and formulate plans for developing infrastructure in Visakhapatnam, as it was developing into a major modern industrial city.

"The population is projected to double, even treble, in the next 10-15 years. There should be planned urbanisation, not haphazard growth. All political parties in the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation election fray should focus on it," he said.

It may be noted that the elections to the GVMC are to be held on February 19. The Congress and the CPI are contesting the election together. So are the Telugu Desam Party and the CPI (M). The BJP is going it alone.

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