Rains turn grain market into swamp

CHANDIGARH: The problem of slushing mud of grain market in Sector 26 worsened on Tuesday after heavy downpour that lashed the city over past two days. This hindered the routine work at the vegetable market. The locals slipped while unloading the sacks of fruits and vegetables. The sacks fell with such a force that vegetables scattered all over the area which ended up rotting. This has given rise to flees and foul odour prevailing all over the area.


The menace of the street dogs has also seen a stark rise in the area adjacent to the grain market. The stray are attracted to the edibles lying on ground which fell while unloading.

These dogs chase people approaching, preventing them from entering the market. The residents are averse to buying goods as the goods are riddled in mud. The consumers also complained of the stench coming from rotting vegetables. The stagnant rainwater filled in the ditches has also become breeding ground for mosquitos.

Suresh Bansal, a resident of Sector 26complained, “I live in close vicinity to the grain market and yet choose to buy vegetables from grocery stores till the winters. The condition of the market is horrendous after

rains

and one cannot enter the area during the monsoons.” Several times tires of vehicles carrying vegetables and fruits get stuck in mud adding to the woes of vendors, causing a delay in transporting. The rickshaw pullers and carts can barely dragging the carts on the muddy path. Davinder Kumar, a street vendor, said, “I am facing difficulties in transporting goods since cart gets stuck in the mud. It takes a toll on us and is a waste of time but we do not have any other alternative since the streets are too narrow. It is the only source of our livelihood.”