Tiruchi Corporation to relocate Burma Bazaar outlets close to Teppakulam to ease congestion throughout mild and sound present

Nearly two years after its inauguration on the Teppakulam of the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, the sunshine and sound present stays largely underutilised, elevating considerations over the efficient use of funds invested within the venture.

The present, launched in 2023 underneath the Smart City Mission’s heritage tourism improvement venture at a value of ₹8 crore, was designed to showcase Tiruchi’s cultural legacy by means of laser projections and synchronised audio. However, it was suspended a couple of months in the past after witnessing a dwindling viewers.

Initially, two exhibits have been held on weekdays and three on weekends, every lasting round half-hour from 7.30 p.m. onwards. However, attributable to low turnout and operational hurdles, the exhibits have been step by step scaled again to weekends earlier than being halted altogether.

Officials cite obstructions brought on by encroachments and vehicular and pedestrian congestion brought on by close by outlets as the principle causes for the interruption.

Now, in a belated transfer to revive the power, the Corporation has determined to develop 158 outlets on the two-acre Yanaikulam floor close to Singarathope to relocate merchants. Of these, 95 outlets, every measuring 80 sq. ft., can be allotted to Burma Bazaar merchants at a month-to-month lease of ₹4,400 (excluding GST) with a refundable deposit of ₹50,000. The remaining 63 outlets, every 64 sq. ft. in measurement, can be earmarked for different merchants working close to the Main Guard Gate and Teppakulam areas.

The facility incorporates a floating management room that tasks laser visuals onto the water floor of the tank, accompanied by narration in Tamil and English delivered by means of wi-fi headphones. Seating preparations have been made for about 50 spectators, with entry tickets priced at ₹25 for youngsters and ₹50 for adults.

A senior official mentioned the relocation plan, finalised after consultations with merchants, is meant to decongest the Teppakulam environment and allow the sunshine and sound present to renew.

However, the delay in addressing the difficulty has drawn criticism from residents, who level out that the ₹8 crore facility, as soon as promoted as a key heritage attraction, has been mendacity idle for months.

“Lack of correct planning and enforcement to relocate outlets earlier than commissioning the venture has resulted in income loss for the Corporation and left the venture mendacity unused,” mentioned N. Jamaludeen, a civic activist.