Zaheerabad market raises a stink

​Zaheerabad: Swachh Abhiyan, be it at the Centre or the State level, the governments are not leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the prestigious cleanliness drive is implemented to the fullest. However, it looks like Swachh Mission is still eluding the Zaheerabad vegetable market which is wallowing in neglect. The market’s premises are covered with filth, garbage, stench with bovines feeding on the waste. 

According to one vegetable vendor, the garbage keeps piling up, and no civic authority had taken any action so far. Due to stench, none wants to purchase vegetables at the market thus making it difficult for the vendors to make a living, he added. 

According to Zaheerabad Municipal Commissioner D Jaithram Naik, the municipality has taken serious note of the issue and claimed that the works to restore the market would be taken up within a week or 10 days. 

“I think unless someone takes up the issue to the notice of the government, the works to restore the market will not take off. It is my earnest request that the government take the plight of the vegetable vendors into consideration and resolve it as early as possible,” said one Basavaiah (name changed), a vegetable vendor at the market.  Meanwhile, the Commissioner added that the municipality would take segregation works followed by restoration. Following which door-to-door collection of waste would be initiated to address the issue at ground level. 

Stating that the prices at private stores were usually high, Durga, a housewife said, “We have no other option but to buy vegetables from the market as the prices are reasonable unless from street vendors who charge extra. But, when we set foot inside the market, the foul smell and awful sight makes us rethink on coming back. If we are taking health into consideration, then spending extra few bucks at private street stalls is very appealing.” 

While talking about safety, another customer Prashanthi said that the market looks very unhygienic with the garbage strewn, open drains and animals moving around feeding on the garbage. Wide spread of diseases rampant around, it is unsafe for anyone to consume anything sold at this market, she said. 

“I was a regular customer and used to come here every week to buy vegetables. But as the garbage problem just kept increasing day-by-day, I had to opt for street vendors who charge more than original,” she added.  

Apart from garbage, the entrance of the market has an open drain. Narsimha, customer at a tea stall, right next to the open drain, said the stench makes it unbearable for customers to enter the market.  The vendors at the market urged that the government and civic authorities to act fast and address the issue.