Heaps of waste near the boundary wall of the fruit and vegetable market in Sector 26, belie the claims of regular cleaning operations at the mandi. The situation becomes pitiable during rains.
During a visit to the mandi, heaps of discarded packaging material and other waste were found piled up along the boundary wall of the mandi opposite the Police Lines.
The UT Administration had recently prohibited retail vendors from operating inside the mandi. The restriction was imposed to decongest the wholesale market, improve traffic movement and facilitate better maintenance of hygiene.
Officials said the objective behind restricting vendors was not only to reduce congestion but also to enable systematic waste management and regular cleaning operations.
When contacted, D Karthikeyan, Secretary, Agricultural Marketing Board, stated the cleaning operations were being carried out regularly in the mandi and any waste was found lying unattended was removed immediately.
Brij Mohan, president of the Sabzi Mandi Arhtiya Association, stated that he had not received any complaint of poor sanitation in the mandi for the past nearly a week.
Karthikeyan said the infrastructure at the mandi was being upgraded and the Engineering Department was in the process of floating tenders. The tenders would be issued by the next week and the work was likely to start after monsoon.
He said efforts were underway to upgrade infrastructure inside the mandi, including better drainage, designated parking, improved internal roads and enhanced traffic management.
Traders at the mandi said the drainage system should be improved as rain caused waterlogging in front of their shops.
According to officials, the department was planning to carry out infrastructure upgrade worth over Rs 1 crore in the mandi. A budget of nearly Rs 57 lakh has been allocated for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to improve security and monitor footfall. The remaining funds will be used to carry out civic works, including repair of auction platforms, reorganisation of parking and regulation of movement at entry and exit points. To streamline parking, designated parking lots would be created for scooters, cars and trucks.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier took serious note of the filthy conditions prevailing inside the mandi after reports highlighted heaps of rotten vegetables, muddy roads and poor civic maintenance.
The court had directed the Chandigarh Administration and the Market Committee to ensure proper sanitation and remove encroachments affecting the smooth functioning of the wholesale market. Following inspections by senior officials, including the UT Administrator earlier this year, disciplinary action was also initiated against officials responsible for sanitation lapses.
Despite these measures, traders stressed the need for more garbage collection points, mechanised cleaning and regular washing of the internal roads.
