Rain drowns Model Bazaars, prices plunge

Sunday rain exposed the tall claims of provincial government of excellent conditions of Model bazaars, which were drowned in water, making shopping next to impossible. Punjab government established Model Bazaars in Township and Sabzazar with the aim of providing healthy and clean atmosphere to the customers. Later, four more Model Bazaars were established in China Scheme Gujjarpura, Thokar Niaz Baig, Harbanspura and Raiwind.
A huge play ground in Township area was converted into Model Bazaar and around Rs 12 million were spent on the project. However, the recent rain exposed the tall claims of the administration of providing clean environment. The water accumulated on the paths. “The government already deprived us of a play ground by setting up a bazaar and now the quality of Model Bazaar has been exposed,” said a teenager Hussain Saleem adding there is no alternate of playgrounds but the government does not understand. A housewife Tahira Batool said it is very difficult for women to shop. “The children were running in water accumulated in the Model Bazaar and we had to cut our shopping short,” she added. A local resident Fazal Hussain said huge money was spent on the Model Bazaar but the administration did not check the quality of the work done by the contractor.
Meanwhile the prices of vegetables and fruits decreased at Sunday bazaars and the number of customers increased. Almost the prices of all vegetables including onions, potatoes, tomatoes, ginger and garlic reduced. In fruits the prices of apples, guava and bananas decreased.
The price of potatoes decreased Rs 8 per kg and it was sold for Rs 12 per kg. The prices of tomatoes decreased by Rs 25 per kg and they were sold for Rs 35 per kg. The prices of onions decreased by Rs 15 per kg and they were available for Rs 40 per kg. The prices of ginger remained Rs 70 per kg with a decrease of Rs 15 per kg while the prices of garlic reduced by Rs 10 per kg and it was sold for Rs 70 per kg.
In fruits the prices of bananas decreased by Rs 5 and it was sold for Rs 50 per dozen and the prices of apples decreased by Rs 10 per kg and it was available for Rs 140 per kg. The shopkeepers said the number of customers increased owing to low prices. “Last Sunday the number of customers was low as compared to this week, as the prices of vegetables and fruits have decreased,” said a shopkeeper Inayat Hussain at Green Town Sundat bazaar.