SALMAN ASHRAF
Melody Food Market in Sector G-6, once a busy destination for the local foodies, is fast losing its charm. The market vendors don’t attract the food lovers anymore, because of high prices of food items, improper sitting arrangement, small parking space and above all, it’s pathetic look repulses the customers.
Melody Food Park was established by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in 2002 to provide low-priced food in a pleasant environment. There are around 32 shops in the market, providing fast food, juices and hot drinks.
“There was a time when I often used to visit here along with my friends but presently the market is in shambles, it couldn’t attract visitors anymore due to the improper sitting arrangement and substandard food items,” said Zeeshan Ahmed, a resident of G-6.
Zeeshan added that capital administration should rehabilitate the condition of the market for the convenience of local residents as well as for others.
When talked to the other visitors, they said, after the Lal Masjid siege in 2007, a blast in 2008 and the CDA operation against encroachments is also a reason to fall the number of visitors.
According to a cafe owner Akram, the business is not as good as it was a few years back and customer ratio has decreased almost 50pc.
“Capital administration promised last year to renovate the food market but they bulldozed some illegal refreshment corners in December and the bulldozed material is still killing the remaining beauty of the market and irritating the visitors,” he added.
According to the CDA spokesperson, the refreshment corners in the food market were illegal and CDA bulldozed them in December last year; along with that he admitted their negligence and said, we will clean the area soon.
The mayor also formed a committee led by the chairman of the I-9 union council, Sardar Mehtab, and the traders. The committee is tasked with finalizing recommendations after reviewing the problems and difficulties facing traders, so steps can be taken to revive the capital’s food street.
When contacted Sardar Mehtab, he told Pakistan Today that they had submitted their findings about the problems faced by the market and the traders, now it is the duty of the administration to take action on it. “Committee has submitted their report this February,” he concluded.