The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has finalized a plan to relocate approximately 350 to 400 meat and fish shops from within the city limits to its outskirts in a phased manner. Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal stated that five locations have been identified for this initiative: Ramnagar, Sujabad, Ganeshpur, Awaleshpur, and Shivpur. This move aims to enhance sanitation and streamline market operations while ensuring continued access for consumers. Concerns were raised by corporator Gulshan Ali regarding previous delays in the relocation process, which have adversely affected traders' livelihoods, particularly during religious observances that restrict meat sales. In response, Nagpal assured that the necessary land has been identified and that the implementation will commence shortly. Additionally, a proposal to establish a retail fruit market in Shivpur is being developed, which will include around 500 shops for fruit vendors. The initiative has received support from local Muslim cleric Syed Saif Abbas Naqvi, who emphasized the need for similar restrictions on liquor shops near pilgrimage sites.