The fruit and vegetable market of the federal capital needs the attention of the authorities concerned as it has a plethora of problems besides gradually turning into a health hazardous place.
Fruit Market Traders Welfare Association President Agha Siraj said on Sunday that traders and people visiting the market face severe problems due to encroachments, cleanliness condition and poor security arrangements.
He said that polluted and filthy environment with numerous problems in and around the market is in need of prompt attention of the civic body in order to ensure provision of safe and healthy food items to the residents. Rotten fruits and vegetables thrown on ground causes odour as there is no waste management system installed.
Siraj said that waste and disgusting smell welcomes customers at the market whereas encroachments and illegal stalls in the premises have further worsened the situation.
He demanded of the authorities to take action against the official responsible for letting numerous illegal stalls prevail.
He said this is one of the leading fruit and vegetable market but there is no proper mechanism to look after the venue.
“The encroachers have made things difficult by extending their shops and stalls on footpaths meant for pedestrians,” a customer said.
Aamir Sani, a shopkeeper said that the market deals in both retail and wholesale and customers come in large numbers even from remote areas but there is no drinking water in the market.
Siraj said that traders had to suffer a loss of millions of rupees due to fire in the capital fruit market last year but despite repeated assurances they have not been compensated so far.
He said development funds should be spent in all sectors without any discrimination.
“Fruit and vegetable sellers pay a huge amount in the name of taxes,” he added.
He appealed the State Minister for Capital Administration Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Islamabad Mayor to take the notice of the situation and address the grievances of the traders and customers.
