Weekly markets edging out Rythu Bazaar

RK Puram: Ever since the weekly markets started in various colonies, the footfalls at Rythu Bazaars have taken a major hit. A case in point is the R K Puram Rythu Bazaar. Started in the year 2000, the Rythu Bazaar initially did well and people from far away places visited the market but not anymore.

There are a totTejal Sinhal of 82 stalls where 76 are of vegetable stalls and the other 6 are shutters. Mahendar, in-charge of the Rythu Bazaar, Rk Puram said, "When this rythu bazaar got started all these stalls were occupied by the farmers from different villages in the city.

From when the weekly markets got started, the residents choose to go to these markets as these markets are much more convenient to them." Another reason for the lack of interest among people is the approach road to the bazaar which is in bad condition.

He further added, "Due to the road of the Rk Puram Bridge being closed and locals need to take road from Neredmet, the sales in this market have become very low. There is no parking area near this rythu bazaar because of which the locals stopped coming to the bazaar. During the weekdays there are around 250 customers whereas on weekends there are 800 customers who come to this bazaar. "

Now the stalls are seen in counts. Most of the farmers who used to sell vegetables in the market have gone to other markets or have just stopped selling vegetables due to lack of sales. The farmers come from Keesara, Siddipet and Karimnagar. However the rates in the Rythu bazaar are much less than those in weekly bazaar.

Dasalamma, a vendor at the market said, "I get these vegetables from Siddipet from my own farm. These vegetables are bought fresh from the farms. Now since there are 3 weekly bazaars in the nearby areas like near army quarters back of Hanuman temple, another in Malkajgiri and one in Rk colony, at the afternoon timing around 4 there will be only 3-4 customers."

Weekly pavement markets in streets have become a boon for sellers and a rather costly facility for the consumers in residential areas. There are different views of people on the prices in such make-shift markets. Some say that it's a bitter pill for consumers and vendors can prosper if they keep their prices moderate. S Kalpana, a resident of Sainathpuram said, "Prices of vegetables and other groceries in the weekly market is very high.

Vendors in these markets are fleecing the people. We had to pay a heavy price for buying essentials in our own colonies." On the other hand, Jay Gupta, an IT company employee, who generally buys vegetables from the Sainathpuram weekly market, says that he has no complaints with regard to prices. "I don't find prices of vegetables here higher; instead it's a great facility for the locals. We don't need to go too far for buying vegetables, fruits and other things."

A vegetable vendor Ganesh Prasad who gets the vegetables from Bowenpally market said that it was a benefiting business indeed since people do not negotiate much as they are getting groceries at their doorstep. The rates in these markets are high due to transportation.