Cambodian business magnate Kong Triv wants to build a $6-million shopping center with a parking garage at a site on Mao Tse-tung Boulevard, across from Deum Kor market.
But his proposal includes a fruit market, which conflicts with a Phnom Penh municipal government plan.
The city, as part of its effort to keep the downtown area cleaner by restricting produce vendors, wants to limit major fruit markets to three sites: Prek Leap market on National Route 6 across the Japanese bridge; near the Meanchey bridge southwest of the city; and along Monivong Boulevard.
Kong Triv, president of KT Pacific Group Ltd and an associate in at least a dozen other major Cambodian companies, is proposing a three-story complex that would include 90 fruit stalls. It would also have parking for 600 cars.
He says the traffic situation at Deum Kor market is the worst in the city, especially along Mao Tse-tung, where dozens of taxis and minivans await passengers for trips to Kampot, Kep and other points south of Phnom Penh. Kong Triv holds a 70-year lease from the Ministry of Public Works for the 2-hectare site.
“I understand very much that the city wants to make itself nice,” Kong Triv said. “But I think the city should study what I’m doing. I am a local investor, and I have the ability to do this project.
“If the city does not allow me to do it, I will stop. But I think the city should take a look and see that my project will also help keep the city clean,” he said.
Man Chheoun, chief of cabinet for the municipality, said the city is waiting for comment from the municipality’s urbanization, industrial and public works department. “I cannot say if it is a legal or illegal project,” he said. “We won’t allow anyone to do anything without the authority’s approval.”
He said Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara would rather see the site used mostly as a city transportation center where buses, taxis and trucks delivering farm products from the countryside would park.
Man Chheoun said the city wants to tackle the “disorderly parking” at Deum Kor market, at Depot market on Jawaharlal Nerhu Boulevard and in front of the Hotel Sofitel Cambodiana.
