PONDA: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) finally on Sunday shifted the market vendors to an open space at “airport road” behind town market where they began selling vegetables, fruits, masalas etc, by following social distancing.
Around 31 vendors, who were shifted to the open space, were provided hand sanitisers and were told to wear masks.
There are several fish, fruit, vegetable and other vendors in the Ponda market which has remained shut since the lockdown was implemented.
PMC chairperson Venktesh Naik said, “The vendors have been directed not to allow rush of people and sell their goods with proper safety by using face masks and maintain social distancing. Vendors are maintaining a three-metre distance while conducting business. PMC has records of its vendors and so accordingly our efforts to open the market on trial basis by shifting it at open space commenced today. We have also identified open places in the town. There is vast open area at the unused old bus stand, open ground near PMC premises, which can be used to shift the fruit, vegetable, fish and other vendors so that they can earn their livelihood at temporary places till the lockdown is lifted.”
DMA officials besides Chief Officer and municipal inspectors and staff were seen engaged in rehabilitation process of market vendors at open spaces identified by the civic body.
Appealing to the consumers to maintain social distancing, he said PMC will ask police department to depute at least one policeman at open market places identified by the municipality.
He said, “There are many farmers from the taluka who come to Ponda market to sell their farm produce, vegetables and fruits during Weekly Market Day. We will provide them a separate sitting arrangement besides another place will be in place to stock vegetables from Belgaum. Local vegetable vendors will be given separate places too.
