The decision to shift part of the Valpoi weekly bazaar to Massorde has not gone down well with the bazaar vendors, who have complained of a drop in business.
Many people from across Sattari visit the weekly bazaar, where they get goods at cheaper prices. For many years, the bazaar was held in front of Fatima Convent School (FCS) and the road going to Dr Amshekar Hospital. However, the vendors congested the road with their stalls, thereby inconveniencing pedestrians, commuters, FCS students and hospital patients.
After receiving many complaints, the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) decided to shift some vendors to Massorde.
Presently, clothing, footwear, and bag vendors have been shifted to the new place, while the vegetable and fruits vendors remain at the old spot. However, market vendors claim that their business has dropped as shoppers do not want to visit two places. They suggested that clothes and vegetable vendors be allotted the old place, while the rest be shifted to the new place.
Meanwhile, some vendors who have been shifted to Massorde are unhappy with the area. They claimed that leachate is flowing in a gutter near them and releasing a horrible stench. They questioned how it is possible for them to stay a whole day in such an area. They also demanded that the gutter be cleaned regularly.
Some vendors have also complained that they were given stalls in inconspicuous places despite contributing to the bazaar for over 20 years, while new vendors were given stalls in prominent locations. They claimed that this is an injustice to senior vendors and demanded that the stalls should be allotted on the basis of seniority.
Meanwhile, VMC Chairman Ramdas Shirodkar stated, “The VMC treasury contains tax that has been collected from these vendors. The VMC doesn’t want to lose them, so they have been allotted a convenient place. But as it is not possible to move all vendors there, the council decided to split the vendors. There is no option other than this. Regarding the vendors’ complaints of less business, for some days there will be problems, but in a few days it will be sorted out.”
He continued, “We have tried our best to help the vendors while shifting some of them to the new place. If there are suggestions from the vendors regarding the shifting, the same will be considered in due time. But I urge them to cooperate for the shifting because it is a demand from the public.”
VMC Chief Officer Dasharath Gawas stated, “Since there were complaints from the public regarding vendors occupying the roadsides, the council had taken a decision to shift part of the bazaar, which has been implemented by the administration. I hope that many problems have been sorted out.”
