Heavy encroachments, dilapidated sewerage system, unhygienic conditions, foul smell of rotten fruits and vegetables and presence of a large number of stray dogs in the sole fruit and vegetable market of Islamabad speaks volumes of the incapacity of Capital Development Authority (CDA) to set matters in order. “Every one looks busy to mint money from the encroachers and the civic agency has no time to address real problems being faced by traders,” said Syed Siraj Agha, Chairman Fruit Mandi Traders Welfare Association.
During the visit of Fruit and vegetable market, Pakistan Today on Sunday observed that there were more than 1000 illegal stalls at the main road of Mandi, which links vegetable and fruit sections. Interestingly, the fruit market has literally been stretched over to the main IJ principal road which is a living nuisance for the commuters and pedestrians. Syed Siraj Agha alleged that CDA officials are hands in glove with encroachers as they get Rs300 (Bhatta) per stall every day. Due to this, loading trucks and customers’ vehicles remain stuck in queue for quite some time. It was also noticed that encroachers are badly affecting the legal businesses at the market, thanks to the black sheep in CDA, who have turned a blind eye to the entire situation.
Another trader, Talib Abbasi said that CDA’s concerned officers have shut eyes over the Mandi’s issues and demanded of the Chairman CDA to look into the matter and direct the concerned officials to remove the encroachments in the premises of the market. Talking to Pakistan Today, other traders alleged that the CDA’s officials, who were supposed to look after the affairs of the market in cooperation with some traders, collect more than Rs300,000 per day from encroachers. Traders said that they have taken up the issue with CDA high-ups but nothing came of it. During the visit, it was also noticed that there was no proper packing system or dumping site for rotten vegetables and fruits.
A customer, Rashid Khan said he used to visit this market quite often but now he sees that the markets’ condition has gone from bad to worse. Interestingly, in the entire market there is no facility of clean drinking water for customers and traders as well. The only filtration plant in the market was found without tapes while there was no provision of water. Currently, stray dogs have taken shelter in this filtration plant. Similarly, the traders said that the market lacked street lights, which resulted in theft and other crimes, as continued darkness provides an opportunity to the addicts and thieves to get out on the prowl.
When contacted CDA’s Inspector Aurangzeb Satti, who is supposed to look after the affairs of the Mandi, didn’t reply to a question asked by this correspondent that CDA officers were backing the encroachers for their vested interests. However, while talking about the other issues he said that all issues being confronted by traders would be resolved. “We are going to install two new filtration plants, while others steps will also be taken for boosting the business activities in the market,” he added.
