THE heart of the city’s trade is losing its footing. The approach road and internal lanes of the Old Vegetable Market on Hamidia Road have deteriorated into a maze of deep potholes, broken patches and scattered debris, leaving traders, shoppers and daily wage labourers to navigate a daily ordeal. The market, which draws thousands of buyers every day, is in a state of neglect. Heaps of garbage lie uncleared due to irregular sanitation, and accumulated waste has choked several stretches. The situation turns nightmarish during the rains, when potholes fill with muddy water and sludge, making the surface slippery and dangerous. Vehicle drivers are among the worst hit. Several incidents of two-wheeler riders losing balance and falling into potholes have been reported, resulting in injuries.

 

Labourers who carry loads on carts and handcarts said they fear both accidents and damage to produce. Despite repeated complaints to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, no permanent solution has been found. Labourers allege that officials have been informed multiple times about the crumbling roads and poor sanitation, but only temporary assurances have followed. With the festive season beginning, traders fear the worst. Footfall is expected to surge in the coming days, and the present condition could not only inconvenience customers but also hit business. The market workers have now demanded an immediate special cleanliness drive and urgent repair of the roads, warning that any further delay will aggravate the crisis and tarnish one of Bhopal’s busiest commercial hubs.