Garbage greets shoppers, upset traders knock MLA’s doors

As the festive season has kicked off, business owners at Sanjay Gandhi Market near BMC Chowk are facing hassles due to the negligence of the municipal corporation in maintaining cleanliness.

While the market should be bustling with activity during this peak shopping period, heaps of garbage have turned the entrance of the market into a dumping ground, frustrating both business owners and shoppers alike.

The businessmen at the market voiced concerns, accusing the municipal corporation (MC) of failing to clear garbage on time.

Gaurav, who owns a mobile showroom in the market, expressed disappointment, stating that the parking space at the entrance of the market has become a permanent dumping ground. He said despite repeated complaints to the MC and efforts to curb rag pickers from nearby areas from adding to the mess, no action has been taken.

“Last year, we had to pool money from our own pockets to hire a ditch machine and get the dump cleared,” he said, adding that but due to the MC’s negligence, the garbage dump has resurfaced, with no monitoring of garbage collection or rag pickers by MC officials.

Ajay Sharma, another businessman who runs an electronics store, echoed Gaurav’s frustrations. He stated that market traders today submitted a memorandum to the local MLA, highlighting not only the garbage issue, but also other concerns such as non-functional streetlights, the need for interlocking tiles in parking areas and sewerage problems.

“The MC’s lack of attention is impacting our businesses,” Sharma said. “We’re struggling to operate in such conditions and our customers are being driven away. How can officials expect us to work next to a garbage dump?”, he questioned.

They demanded immediate action from the MC, asking its officials to clear the garbage and address the broader infrastructure problems that are plaguing the area. They emphasised that the lack of basic amenities such as clean roads and proper lighting is tarnishing the city’s image during a crucial time for businesses.

MLA, Central, Raman Arora claimed that the issue had not been discussed with him. But he would raise the matter with the MC Commissioner and urge immediate action to remove the dump.