PONDA: Ponda’s market vendors are facing a slump in business despite having a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and other goods on display. Many times, they are forced to hawk their wares on footpaths to attract customers. It often leads to scuffles with the footpath vendors and numerous police complaints. The market is in dire need of an organized system in which all vendors can sell their goods without harming themselves or the market-goers.
Before constructing the new market a few years ago, the vegetable and fruit vendors were relocated to a shed specially constructed for them just opposite the old market. The new market was completed four years ago, but till today, it stands deserted. The vendors have not moved back as they fear they will not get as many customers due to the building’s design.
Another problem that the market faces is the haphazard arrangement of goods. The vendors spread out their wares even on the passages meant for customers to walk through. This arrangement has led to chaos throughout the market and is the cause of numerous fights. It may also be the reason people avoid the market.
The market has a separate shed for fish vendors. Likewise, separate sections for fruits, flowers, and vegetables would be an appropriate solution to the problem. It would also help consumers to find different types of a particular good in one place instead of having to hunt around.
When contacted, Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar said, “There are seven to eight sheds in the market, and all vendors sell different types of goods in it. It creates chaos. The vendors also complain of not getting customers. The PMC has to bring some systematic arrangement in these market sheds. That is its duty. The vegetable vendors can sit separately in one row, or one shed can be allotted to them so that people can have a lot of choice to buy a variety of vegetables at one place. Likewise, fruit vendors, readymade goods, and food grains and household goods can be sold at different rows or arranged in separate sheds. If the PMC can think of a systematic arrangement, then the idle market complex can be put to best use.”
