Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Chowrasta remained the largest market in Penang with 339 traders. It was also the first market with a silver Green Building Index rating, he said.

“Chowrasta is the biggest and greenest market, and we hope it will also be the cleanest.

“Let’s make the RM13 million the council spent worth it,” he said at a ceremony to mark the handing over of the newly-upgraded building to the Penang Island City Council.

The upgrading at the market started in 2013 and was recently completed. The makeover brings more spaces for traders and facilities like a multistorey carpark, elevators and escalators, as well as a new hall for holding activities.

The market has not seen a facelift since 1961, leaving the 127-year-old complex in poor condition, despite being a popular spot for those buying local products and secondhand books.

City mayor Patahiyah Ismail said the upgrading of the Chowrasta market had also helped overcome the problem of unlicensed traders.

Lim said the council has been upgrading markets and hawker sites since 2009. It upgraded 24 so far, spending over RM35.4 million.

He said the council was spending RM9 million to upgrade the Batu Ferringhi market.

This year, the council will also spend RM8 million to upgrade the Lebuh Campbell and Jalan Anson markets.

State local government, traffic management and flood mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state secretary has recently proposed a masterplan for markets and hawker sites in Penang.