New Market sans clean loos, drinking water

BHOPAL: Devendra Rajput has been running around for about 10 minutes in search of a washroom. And, when he was directed to a public loo, he was shocked to see the queue— there were two dozen others waiting.

This is the state of affairs at New Bhopal’s oldest and most popular shopping zone New Market, that houses 1,000 shops and offices that witnesses an average footfall of 25,000 per day. The market is besieged with problems including non-availability of clean

drinking water

, unhindered walkways and parking facility.

Shopkeepers complain they are forced to wait in emergencies to use the two only public washroom in the market vicinity. The Sulabh Shochalaya (public utilities) are located at GTB Complex and opposite Samanvaya Bhawan are far off for shopkeepers and traders to venture out during peak business hours.

Satish Gangrade, president of New Market Traders’ Association, said, “For the last two decades, we have been facing the problem of lack of toilets for men and women in New Market.” He added that the customers, especially, women have been complaining with the shopkeepers but nothing has been done yet by the BMC.

The BMC officials have been petitioned several times. “We have requested the BMC officials to construct toilets,” said Gangarade, adding, after their petitions went unheard, the traders volunteered to construct public toilets at their own expenses, all that the BMC had to do is to provide space. “Event that was not acceptable to the civic body,” lamented he.

“The two existing public utilities in New Market area run and maintained by

Sulabh International

’ are ill-maintained,” said Sanjay Valecha, secretary of the New Market Traders’ Association, adding, he had personally tried to intervene for the upkeep of toilets but in vain.

He added, “The state of one of the toilets in the market, is worse maintained. In fact, it is the home for stray dogs, and the users must walk over them to get to the loo, and the condition is worse in monsoon.”

Anukriti Kudesia, a college student said she had taken up the issue of toilets for women time and again, but in vain. “I hope that BMC develops a ‘She Lounge’ in New Market.” She added that there are several other problems apart from toilets.

“The quality of piped drinking water supplied is also poor,” said Anukriti, adding, that she has to purchase water anytime she visits the market.

Naresh Kumar Jain, a shopkeeper, said “The BMC water supplied is yellowish or turbid.” He has been purchasing water jugs from private water suppliers.

Gangrade, president of traders’ association, has blamed the BMC for not heeding to their demand for clean water, despite collecting huge amount of taxes from the market.

“The New Market traders had approached the BMC with a proposal seeking help from the corporation to jointly install RO plants for safe drinking water, yet the official response has been lukewarm,” said the New Market traders association president.

Ward corporator Shankar Makoria

admitted that issue of toilet and drinking water are serious. “There is shortage of space in the market, effort is on to provide the basic amenities,” he added.

Minister for revenue Umashankar Gupta too admitted the severity of issue. “As there is no place for building additional toilets, and installation of ROs, we are helpless. But, efforts are being made to provide and improve basic amenities in the market.”

PHOTO QUOTES

Ever since BMC has handed over the maintenance of toilets to private parties, they are turning out to be unusable. Complaints have been lodged many a time without success.

Nirmal Kumar Jain | Shopkeeper

Due to encroachments, there is no space to walk during in festival season. Unruly hawkers at times even threaten the shopkeepers when they are asked to move away.

Chhagan Lal Meena | Shopkeeper

We are ready to install drinking water machines and have approached BMC officials several times to allot us the space but the corporation has not responded positively.

Sanjay Valecha | Secretary, Traders’ Association

Whenever we come to market, we don’t find clean drinking water. Due to this we are forced buy water bottles. Also, there is no proper toilets in such a prominent market.

Bhushan Pawar | Engineer

Leave water and toilet issue, there is no proper parking facility in the market. The pink parking designated for women is also encroached upon by the hawkers.

Chhaya Saxena | Teacher