The Burdwan East district administration has proposed further extension of the Misti Hub, the chief minister’s confectioner’s destination, and offered free accommodation to 15 new confectioners.

On 30 July, the development and planning section of the Burdwan (East) district collectorate brought out a notice (No: 1361/DP) seeking expression of interest from the local entrepreneurs for floating retail outlets at the second phase of Misti Hub at Bamchandaipur locality, located beside the National Highway-2.

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The vendors have been asked to respond before 14 August. The district magistrate (DM) of Burdwan (East), Mr Anurag Srivastava, said: “We prefer to house traditional sweet manufacturers along with branded food chains at the second phase of Misti Hub, and in this expanded phase, we shall give priority to vendors from East Burdwan.” He added: “We are planning to inaugurate the hub before the Durga Puja.”

Misti Hub is facing a threat to its existence as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)has proposed six-laning work of the NH-2, beside laying two service roads on both sides of the highway for local traffic.

The NHAI has earmarked 40 feet of space on both sides of the existing highway for the additional two lanes and a pair of service roads.

The Misti Hub is located within 30 feet from the existing NH-2. At a meeting on 19 July, the matter was conveyed to the Misti Hub vendors. Now, the fresh bid to invite more vendors to the Misti Hub has raised doubts.

Mr Soumen Das, secretary of Burdwan Sitabhog Mihidana Traders’ Welfare Association, said: “Already we are facing difficulty as vehicles plying on NH2 don’t stop at the hub due to paucity of parking space and NH-2 expansion work is set to eat up further space.

The hub will definitely not have a square feet of land for parking vehicles here.” At this juncture, he added: “We have no idea how additional shops would be accommodated here.” The district authorities have, meanwhile, suggested shifting of the parking lot to another location, where land would have to be procured for the purpose.