A day after NMC closes 5 makeshift markets, heavy rush at Kalamna
12 Apr 2020 10:05:25
There was tremendous rush at Kalamna Market Yard on Saturday morning. (Pic by Satish Raut)
Staff Reporter :
Municipal Commr Tukaram Mundhe defends decision to close down Cotton Market
Kalamna Market Yard witnessed a heavy rush on Saturday, a day after Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) decided to close down five makeshift decentralised vegetable markets in the city. As Kalamna remained the only major centre for vegetable trade, despite the best efforts of the people, social distancing norm went for a toss. Since the closure of Cotton Market last month, NMC had decided to open some makeshift vegetable markets by following the principle of decentralisation of markets and thereby avoiding crowding at one place. However, soon, citing the reason that people were not following social distancing norm to fight COVID-19 outbreak, NMC decided to close down these markets with effect from Saturday.
The closed down markets included Reshimbagh ground, Rajabaksha ground, Cancer Hospital ground in Yashodhara Nagar, Gadikhana ground, and Budhwar Bazar (Somwaripeth). NMC asked City Police to ensure enforcement of the decision. City Police, as reported earlier, expressed acute displeasure over NMC’s decision of closing down five vegetable markets started recently to decongest Kalamna Market Yard of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). In fact, City Police apprehended crowding at Kalamna from Saturday itself, and asked the civic body to restrict number of vehicles and also re-start Cotton Market. A few days ago, even the traders’ body and Sandip Joshi, Mayor, had sought re-starting Cotton Market.
Police Department had pointed out that instead of 50 vehicles allowed, close to 80 vehicles entered Reshimbag market. As against sanctioned 50 vehicles, around 150 vehicles carrying vegetables entered Yashodhara Nagar market. Still, the cops felt that the situation could be tackled easily with some more planning and effort. City Police had also suggested to NMC to deploy its Nuisance Detection Squad personnel at the decentralised markets and restrict entry of vehicles and number of brokers to avoid crowding. As anticipated by City Police, crowding was witnessed at Kalamna Market Yard of APMC. A big number of vehices, small and big, entered the yard. Owing to crowding, vehicles were parked in close proximity to each other.
Besides, there was a crowd of vegetable traders, brokers, retailers, bulk buyers, and loading and unloading labourers. Due to crowding, social distancing went for a toss. Though the administration had made arrangement for spraying of disinfectant on vehicles entering the yard, once the vehicles entered the yard, the scene was of any normal day.
Mundhe defends decision of closing down Cotton Market During his Facebook live chat, Tukaram Mundhe, Municipal Commissioner, defended his decision of closing down Cotton Market. He said this in response to a question if NMC’s planning had failed or machinery was proving to be inadequate or people were beyond control. As per the official release issued by NMC, of Mundhe’s Facebook live chat, the civic body took decision of closing down Cotton Market and five decentralised markets ‘in view of the situation’ and ‘to ensure public safety’. Cotton Market witnessed crowding despite the efforts to control the same. Hence, it was closed and five decentralised markets were started. However, people did not follow social distancing norm and hence those also had to be closed, he added. But, NMC is contacting various farmers’ groups and ensuring that vegetables are reaching various parts of the city. There is no problem in citizens getting vegetables, he said.