Make Meena Bazaar ‘Swachh’ Again, Say Deoghar’s Vegetable Vendors

Vegetable vendors of Deoghar's sabzi mandi Meena Bazaar have long been troubled by the apathy of the municipal corporation. They feel the authority is quick to collect taxes from the locals, but does not provide infrastructure and cleanliness.

While sanitation workers have been employed by the corporation to fix the sewer system at the mandi, the bazaar, one of the busiest areas of the city, is reeling under filth.

The vegetable market brings a huge amount of revenue annually, yet, as the vendors say, they are getting nothing in return.

Visitors and vendors of Meena Bazaar were in consensus about the condition of the market. On my visit, I too could see what I had heard from others – piles of vegetable waste, muddy ground, and dingy passages.

“If the chief officer of the municipal corporation comes here, he would see what problems people face in coming here to buy vegetables.”

Mohammad Mahfooz, Vegetable Vendor

Vendors were also promised a garbage dump but a year has passed since.

“There has been no road made till date. There is no electricity or water or bleaching (of floors). Even public washrooms are cleaned with bleach but Meena Bazaar is not.”

Santosh Kumar Shah, Vegetable Vendor

Now, instead of being ‘swacch’, Meena Bazaar is choked with waste. It breeds disease.

“The vegetable market is filled with filth. If you don’t cover your face upon entry, it’s guaranteed you will fall sick. There is so much waste. People fold up their pants and walk (due to the mud).”

Jaytila Kumar, Customer

When Will the Authorities Take Notice?

The vegetable-sellers have written to the municipal corporation as well, but in vain.

“We have written to them as well for more sweepers, more lighting. There is only one light. That’s how Meena Bazaar is running.”

Anil Rawat, Vegetable Vendor

Without a sewage line, no provision for cleaning, and no provision for drinking water, Meena Bazaar’s vendors feel Deoghar Municipal Corporation is only concerned with collecting taxes.

“I would request the chief officer to come here and see for himself the state of our provisions. After that, we will be okay with whatever he decides.”

Mohammad Mahfooz

“The corporation says the work they do is top-notch. They are first to do surveys, etc, but after that they are blind to the situation and the filth,” he adds.

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