The polluted environment and unhygienic conditions at the federal capital’s only fruit and vegetable market in I-11 Sector, commonly known as Sabzi Mandi, are causing environmental and health problems for both the buyers and the sellers.
A visit to the Sabzi Mandi on Sunday showed the slackness of the departments concerned, which were responsible for cleanliness, security, parking and price control. The whole market, which is almost spread over the sector, was filled with garbage, rotten vegetables and fruits emitting odor.
“There is no proper mechanism for keeping the market clean, despite the fact that the civic authority has hired a number of employees for the purpose,” said Mazhar Abbass, who visited the market twice a week to purchase fruits and vegetables.
He said stall and push-cart holders had even occupied the main road which caused problems for both the motorists and the pedestrians. The officials of the department concerned took no pains to remove them, he added.
Rains further multiplied the problems as it became impossible for the consumers to move because of the mud and garbage.
Another buyer, Ishaq Khan complained that the price lists were not displayed by the vendors, who charged prices of their own liking. Brawls between the sellers and the purchasers were a routine matter, he added.
About security arrangements, the District Administration had time and again instructed the in charge police post to ensure foolproof arrangements by installing walkthrough gates for the security of people. However, one or two policemen were deployed for a few days and they too disappeared when the dust had settled. “I have not seen even a single policeman deployed for the security although a police station has been set up at the corner of Sabzi Mandi,” Ejaz ul Haq, a resident of the nearby I-10 Sector pointed out.
Jahangir Khan, a vendor informed agencies that there was no entry schedule of trucks and other vehicles to unload their goods in the Sabzi Mandi.
These trucks could enter at any time causing traffic problems for the people, he added. A large number of unauthorized kiosks and repairing shops had also been set up around the market. Some of them had been built in the green belt located between Sabzi Mandi and I-10 Sector. People were of the view that the authorities concerned should seriously look into the state of affairs of the fruit market and resolve all the problems on a priority basis.
When contacted, the District Administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials said that they were striving hard to improve security and cleanliness conditions at the market.
