Navanagar vegetable market dumped for 18 years

HUBLI: The vegetable market at Navanagar has been rotting away for over 18 years. And, no one even cares.
A separate, enclosed facility for a vegetable market at Navanagar was made in January 1995 keeping in mind the needs of vendors from nearby villages like Gamanagatti, Amargol and Sutagatti as well as buyers. But, it was abandoned within a year.
The market has now shifted to an adjacent open-air spot, shorn of even the basic facilities. Keeping it company are the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation's (HDMC) garbage bins. There are no lighting facilities either; vendors have to rely on street lights.
Locals and vegetable vendors complain that they are bearing the brunt of official apathy.
Meera Mandavia, a resident, says the congestion and deplorable conditions of the market make purchases a hassle.
Shrivatsa Joshi, another local, dubs the open-air market an "utter mess". "Measures should be taken immediately to make it a better place for us and the vendors."
Tippavva Bengeri, a vegetable vendor from Gamanagatti, says conducting business at the market is no less than an ordeal. "But we have no other go. We sit under the street light and use kerosene lamps when even that is not available."
Kamalavva Ramdurg, a vendor from Sutagatti, urges HDMC officials to address vendors' livelihood concerns immediately. "We are forced to sit next to a garbage container, which leaves many of us nauseated."
Chandrashekar Managundi, former corporator of ward 23 of Navanagar, suggests that the market be renovated and reopened. "It should be well-organized to ensure that shopping is hassle-free experience for both buyers and vendors."