Prema has been selling fish in Kanakanady Market for years. She is worried over the sharp decline in the number of her customers. “I am solely dependent on the income we get from selling fish. Since morning there have been hardly any customers. We are left with no alternative but to come out of the complex (market) to sell our products.”
Ms. Prema is among the 100-odd traders working from the Kankanday Market that lacks facilities. The roof of this 18-year old complex, whose construction is incomplete, has developed cracks. Four gates leading to shops on ground floor and in basement of the complex are jammed. Vegetables and fish in the stalls decay at a faster rate for lack of ventilation for the stall, said Dheeraj, who has a vegetable stall in the complex.
“We are disgusted over the lack of response by the officialdom and our public representatives to our representations seeking better facilities. Despite paying taxes and lease amount, we are not provided facilities we want,” said Abdul Sattar, who runs a grocery shop in the complex.
Mr. Sattar said authorities have failed to plug leakage of the water supply line that had led to stoppage of water supply for nearly a month. Flower trader Ashraf said leakage had also denied water supply to adjoining St. Joseph School.
The traders said customers were dwindling because of the poor conditions and accessibility issues. The traders said the new bus stop had added to their problems. “The advertisement hoarding for the new shelter has blocked access to the market. A portion of the hording needs to be removed,” said Ali Hasan, president of Kankanady Market Traders Association. Mr. Hasan said traders will be forced to launch an agitation if authorities fail to improve facilities.
