Sambalpur: Sambalpur’s Old Bus Stand; A Market During the Day, Open Defecation Ground at Night

Sambalpur: In the heart of Sambalpur, one of Odisha’s most prominent cities, an old bus stop area has become a hotspot for open defecation in the evening, right next to the Perishable Market. Despite the ongoing cleanliness drive, the Municipal Corporation appears to be ignoring this obvious problem.

Ineffective Shift to New Market Location

The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation has set aside an area near the Ram Sagar pond for the Perishable Market. However, efforts to relocate vendors to this long and narrow location have been largely unsuccessful. Vendors are reluctant to relocate for a variety of reasons, including parking issues and other inconveniences. As a result, people have expressed dissatisfaction with the location.

The majority of development projects in Sambalpur are implemented hastily and without proper planning. For example, Crawford Park’s old bus stand, which was once used for recreational activities, was converted into a bus terminal to meet temporary needs rather than remaining as a park. On August 15, 1968, the bus terminal was inaugurated. Following the relocation of the government bus terminal to Ainthapali, city buses continue to operate from the old bus stand during the day, while a few long-distance buses use it at night. The Perishable Market has now been established here, coexisting with bus services, causing chaos.

Lack of Space Leads to Health Hazards

With buses parked on one side and a market operating on the other, space is scarce. People do not have a designated area to park their bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles. This congestion frequently leads to traffic problems. Passengers waiting for buses face difficulties due to a lack of appropriate waiting areas. The main concern, however, is that once the market closes in the evening, the area becomes an open defecation site.

During the day, the Perishable Market operates in an extremely unsanitary environment, with a severe lack of proper public sanitation. Although the bus stop has been there for decades, there is no public restroom, forcing people to relieve themselves outside. Female passengers find this situation especially uncomfortable.

No Alternatives for Vendors

With no other options, market vendors have resorted to covering areas used for open defecation with polythene sheets or sacks and selling goods on top. This not only increases the health risks, but also produces an unbearable stench in the market area. Despite claims of regular monitoring, the Municipal Corporation appears to be blind to the issue, focusing instead on collecting taxes from vendors.

Historical Roots and Lack of Action

The Golbazar Perishable Market began operations in 1954, but there has been no significant development since then. The city’s most active market now operates in highly unsanitary conditions at the old bus stand. While there is an urgent need for a multi-story market complex in Golbazar, progress has been slow. The basement and one floor have been completed, and many citizens have requested that it be operational as soon as possible. However, construction on the second floor has yet to begin.

Urgent Need for Better Planning

In addition to speeding up construction, the building plan itself needs to be reviewed and changed as needed. The health and safety of both vendors and customers must be prioritized if the market is to continue to operate in this critical area.