Secunderabad : Monda Market makeover put on the backburner

Secunderabad: The vendors of Monda Market earlier known as Hissamganj are desperately waiting for better amenities like sanitation, parking and dedicated shops.

The market was established in 1872 and is spread over seven acres of land with four entrances. As it is surrounded by streets and lanes, huge rush of visitors and transport vehicles often cause traffic snarls in the area.

Speaking to The Hans India, James John, a member of Town Vending Committee (TVC) and president of Street Vendors Association, said, "The GHMC officials did come to inspect the Monda Market for construction of a commercial complex a few years back and never returned.

The area is causing a lot of trouble not only for the vendors but also to the commuters visiting the market as there is no proper place to walk or park their vehicles. The vendors are still waiting for modernisation in the market. However, there has not been much affect in the sales."

"There are around 400 vendors in the Bowenpally market currently. Due to a lot of traffic congestion and trucks, the market was shifted to Secunderabad in 2002. However, around 30% of the vendors are not ready to shift as they believe that it would affect their sales," said YJ Padma Harsha, Deputy Director of Marketing at Bowenpally Vegetable Market Yard

"There are around 1,200 street vendors currently in the Monda Market. The authorities have done nothing for vendors so far to help them and make their work better at the market. It is us who are taking all efforts and enrolling the vendors name and issuing them vendor ID cards and vendor certificates in the market. So far we have enrolled around 400 vendors," said John.

Prasad Rao, GHMC Deputy City Planner, said, "The inspection of the market has been conducted regularly and the representation has also been sent for the modernisation. However, there is still going to be some delay as the fund has still not been decided. It will be done once the complete survey of the market is completed."

Street Vendors Act

The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, was enacted to regulate street vendors in public areas and protect their rights.

It allows those vendors selling goods for the past 10 years to have a unique ID card which will allow them to sell their products in the market openly without any peer pressure.