The World Bank, in its 2009 report, has ranked Patna as the second best city after New Delhi to start business in India, said Harkirat Singh, Managing Director, Woodland.

"Patna airport is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Ranchi. It's categorised as a restricted international airport with customs facilities to receive international chartered flights. It's also an important business centre of eastern India," Singh told IANS.

"The economy of Patna has seen sustained growth. In particular the economy has been spurred by growth in fast moving consumer goods along with Green Revolution businesses. We believe Woodland has great potential to grow in the city," he added.

Lalit Kishore, managing director of Lotto Licensee Sportslifestyle Pvt Lt, says the city's great business proposition inspired them to take an instant step to open two stores in just a year's time and one of them is in the mall.

"We had been present in Patna through the distribution network for a few years and we received a good response. Seeing the performance, we opened up two stores subsequently," he said.

Built in Pataliputra colony, P&M has retail shops, Big Bazaar, a four-screen multiplex, food court and plenty of parking space.

Whether you are looking for branded and stylish traditional salwar-kameezes, saris or lehengas, -- you can chose from popular brands Biba, Sabhyata and Meena Bazaar. If you have a penchant for western clothes, Wills Lifestyle, Mufti, and Bossini are there to choose from.

As far as footwear is concerned, you have Woodland and Lotto and many more will open in the city soon.

The four-screen multiplex, opened by Cinepolis, a Mexican cinema chain, runs 22 shows a day including Hollywood, Bollywood and regional movies and the tickets are priced at Rs.100 for morning shows and at Rs.160 and Rs.180 for the rest of the day.

"The idea behind the mall was to try and bring the best practices here. Malls have been in India for the past 12 years, but in Bihar this was still unknown territory. So the whole idea was to open the mall and bring good things to the place," said Prakash Jha, who also plans to open one in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.

The people have become more fashion-conscious and that's why brands are showing interest, said Atul Chand, divisional chief executive of ITC's Lifestyle Retailing Business Division.

"There are a large number of working women emerging and therefore people not only know about fashion but also express themselves in a better way. There are also incomes to back changing tastes.

"We are satisfied with the business. The mall has been well received and we are certainly thinking of increasing the reach. Dussehra and Diwali are termed grand festivals in Patna; so we are going to see business increasing like never before," Chand said.

The local people have responded overwhelmingly to the mall, said a stall owner in the shopping centre.

"People are really excited about the first mall in the state. During daytime youngsters, mostly students, flock the shopping arena, but after six in the evening, you get to see a lot of family crowd trickling in," Prashant Kumar said.

Pooja Jha, who runs a kebab stall, said: "We have got an awesome response."

Abhishek Dubey, manager of the Mad About China eatery, said: "People prefer having lunch or dinner after movies."

The hotspot among youngsters is the Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), an ideal rendezvous for youngsters, especially couples who have a place to sit and spend some quality time.

"We waited so long for the CCD. The first one came at Regent Cinema in Gandhi Maidan and it was a hit and now we have one in the mall. It's a perfect place for us to meet and chat. We see a lot of couples also. Earlier, the couples used to end up in restaurants where you end up eating, but no quality time. But this CCD is a boon for them," said Priya Kumar, a post-graduate student.

Thanks to the positive response, other brands have been inspired to open outlets.

"Yes, I feel that business will evolve in cities like Patna because the sense of fashion is really growing. There is a good scope for expansion. Though we do not have an immediate plan to open a store, we will be considering the option sooner," said Anubhav Jain, director of jewellery brand Silverline.

Comment

comments...

In reply to Kulin:

Dear Kulin, your response shows that you expected even Patna to stay in the dark stage, like it used to be 5-7 years back. Lalten Chaap people will always keep on complaining, its light is lost in neon light...completely forgetting what entire Bihar used to be before. Who brought that dark age to Bihar? And why it is burning your heart when outsiders even when come to Patna, appreciate Patna. You don't need to remark on Amitabh bachchan like self made persons and true hero and argue about his money and credibility...he has done lots of charity which your kind of persons can't imagine..anyone who knows his life from close, his struggle during bankruptcy and repayment of loans despite of declared bankrupt would know very well why did he endorse any brand..and that leaves enough lesson for character to learn and imbibe from this great man.

People can abuse and mock on anyone..and this is why they always remain small, always seeing negative in positives. Only an idiot would say that Patna has progressed backward. And only a desperate thinks that development happens in single night, as if Vishawakarma himself comes down and does all job in single day after 20 years of devastation! My home is in Patna, and I don't need your lecture to learn how much Patna has really changed in past 5 years for most of the good reasons. So better burn your lantern in your own world, where you don't like to have light and development at all. If this mall has opened it has also generated employment for more than 100 people, increased flow of money and vibrant society out of a sick society...why its burning your heart? Or you wish that Patna should have remained dark? You know very well who fear lights!
Ravi Shankar

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Move out of Patna and you will reach in dark ages within 15mins of your drive. Amitabh ji said that patna is better than any metro. We are waiting for Amitabh ji to shift to Patna. Do what you say Amitabh ji, we knwo you are in habit of promoting any brand for money.

Kulin