GHMC losing lakhs at Kushaiguda market

Kushaiguda: The Kushaiguda vegetable market is losing lakhs in revenue as 90 per cent of the shutters lie vacant and due lack of foresight and inherent flaws in the design of the market, it is unable to attract people. K Balraj, a vegetable vendor said, “If there was enough parking space and the roof was kept open, it would have been a hit. During summer it is like a boiler.”

The market was opened on December 10, 2010 but since then 90 per cent of the shutters on the top floor have remained vacant. In all there are 54 shutters in the first floor out of which only 10 are occupied, majority of them sell material for conducting puja.

Developed in an acre of land, the market does not have parking space and coupled to the problem is a bus stand that is adjacent to it. Suresh, owner of Bhavani Puja stores says, “In the top floor there is no ventilation and the plastic sheets that cover the roof is a problem. It gets very hot. More than 100 people invested in a variety of goods, but nothing worked and they closed shop. The whole design is flawed. If there was an opening leading to the market and steps at the entrance to the top floor it would have worked.”

On the ground floor there are 150 vegetable stalls and 13 non-vegetarian stalls. Kushaiguda Vegetable Market Merchants Association president Laxminarayana says, “The vegetable vendors at Kushaiguda market are the worst hit. While the rental at other markets per square feet is Rs 9, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been demanding Rs 22 per sq.ft.”

The vendors paid rental till 2015 and have been demanding for a written assurance from the GHMC for reduce in rental rates to Rs 9 per sq. feet as it is in other places in the city. Laxminarayana says, “We received only oral assurances. We are ready to pay the revised rates provided we get it in writing.” In Nacharam, Uppal and Serilingampally vegetable markets, the rental is just Rs 9 per sq.feet while the demand at Kushaiguda is Rs 22 per sq.feet.

BY S Ashok