ANIL SHANKHWALKER
MAPUSA
With over 1,200 shops, vendors and hawkers, Mapusa market is already crowded. Shoppers, already fighting for space to move around have to also contend with two-wheelers that move within the market.
While the merchants are aware of the problem and agree that most two-wheelers should be barred from moving inside the market, they feel that vehicles of suppliers should be allowed limited access to shops.
The lanes within the market have become narrower as vendors have occupied both sides of the lanes, and in some places even sit in the middle of the lane, making it difficult for shoppers to walk along the narrow pathway.
A vegetable vendor, Laxmi Naik, said the market should be strictly for pedestrians and not for two-wheelers. “Shoppers are often harassed by two-wheeler riders, who feel that they have the right of way in the congested market. They blow their horns as if consumers are violating their right of way in the road,” Naik said.
“Quite frequently, two-wheeler riders, while riding rashly in the congested market, have ended up injuring elderly people. Once when I confronted a two-wheeler rider, who dashed an elderly lady while buying vegetables, he shouted at me saying, ‘who are you to ask me’,” Naik said.
Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Sandeep Falari said MMC had taken an initiative to close the market gates to prevent entry of vehicles in the market.
“The merchant’s association opposed the move saying that it will not be possible for vehicles of the suppliers to deliver goods to the shopkeepers. The MMC is fully aware of the problems faced by consumers due to two-wheelers and we will try to discuss the matter with the merchants’ association and work out a solution to the problem,” Falari assured.
The merchants’ association President Yeshwant Gaundalker said they have no objection in closing the market gates, but insisted on certain mechanisms for the benefit of suppliers.
“The MMC should make arrangements to depute a policeman or home guard at the main gate to allow vehicles of the suppliers inside the market. The MMC can also fix timings for vehicles of suppliers entering the market. Sometimes, restaurant owners require potable water very badly and in such circumstances, the home guard or the police may be instructed to permit them to supply water from outside,” he said.
“The association is also of the opinion that private two-wheelers should not be allowed inside the market,” Gaundalker said.
