Patna, April 21: From a dull industrial hub to a happening zone, the magical image makeover of the Patliputra industrial area in just six months has come as a pleasant surprise to all. It seems as if a fairy godmother waved her wand over the industrial hub and transformed it into a hub of activities.
The story of the metamorphosis of the area is somewhat similar to the fairytale of the ugly duckling. Till six months ago, the hub — set up in 1960 to promote small and medium industrial enterprises — was a lonely neighbourhood. Most of the industries had downed shutters and hardly anyone visited the area.
Suddenly a number of shopping malls, multiplexes and eateries have come up here. Its transformation is such that city residents believe that they have been teleported to a different place when they visit the industrial zone.
“I could not believe my eyes when I came here. Things have changed completely,†R-Block resident Ranjan Kumar told The Telegraph.
He added: “A number of cars of the latest models were lined up on the road. I could not find space to park mine.â€
Parking space has indeed become dear. Residents of the city are making a beeline to filmmaker Prakash Jha’s P&M shopping mall, or to pick out the latest summer fashion from the outlet of fabric chain FabIndia. Others are dining out at Moti Mahal, an outlet of a restaurant chain.
Sources said this was just the beginning — Shopper’s Stop, Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald’s are also planning to open their doors in the area.
Experts, however, believe that this growth is not surprising.
“According to the central government notification in 2007, every industrial zone has to reserve 25 per cent of its area for the service sector. The aim of an industrial area is to create employment opportunities. That is exactly what these outlets are doing,†said Satyajit Kumar Singh, former chairman of Confederation of Indian Industries, Bihar state council.
But what about shopping malls and restaurants shouldering out other industries from the zone?
“Before 2006, an acre of land in the Patliputra industrial area was available for around Rs 6 lakh. But now it has gone up to Rs 2.5 crore, after the state government fixed the price of land here at Rs 600 per sqft. That is too high for small- and medium-scale industries. Only the service sector can survive in such a competitive market,†added Singh, also a promoter of Shakti Sudha that processes makhana.
Patna residents are not complaining, though.
“We are happy that finally a mall like this has come up in Patna. It is a new experience for us,†said Suman Mishra, a homemaker and resident of Boring Road.
She was buying clothes at the P&M mall with her husband, Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra.
“Coming here is so much fun. The mall could have been bigger, though. When people start pouring in, it will get congested,†added Suman.
Ajay Saxena, general manager, Moti Mahal, said: “The change in the social and political atmosphere is reflected in the changed lifestyle of the people. They want to enjoy with their families. Shopping malls and restaurants are perfect for that.â€
He added: “There is a perceptible change. Patna has become safer. Restaurant and mall culture is influencing people. They want to spend their leisure hours like their counterparts in the metros.â€
The road leading to Patliputra industrial area — a kilometre-long stretch from Polytechnic More to Kurji More — is a proof of the transformation.
Earlier, it used to be a quiet avenue. Now, it is usually jam packed with cars. There are traffic jams as well. But no one gets angry or honks furiously. The general mood is that of holiday and fun with family and friends.
Footfall at the FabIndia outlet has gone up as well. Kahkashan Kureshi, sales executive, FabIndia, said: “Life here has changed so much in the past few months. Things have picked up pace. It has become so exciting.â€