Sabzi Mandi.docx

Although the new Sabzi Mandi is generating revenue millions of rupees annually, it still lacks the basic amenities like potable water and a proper sewerage system. The polluted environment and unhygienic conditions Sabzi Mandi only fruit and vegetable market in Karachi are causing environmental and health problems for both the buyers and the sellers. A visit to the Sabzi Mandi showed the slackness of the departments concerned, which were responsible for cleanliness, security, parking and price control. The whole market, which is almost spread over was filled with garbage, rotten vegetables and fruits emitting odor. It is disappointing that in the whole Mandi there is not even a single dustbin, due to which the vegetable and fruit sellers are bound to throw the waste and spoiled vegetable and fruits in the open, which create a bad impression on the minds of the customers and also give invitation to various diseases. Rains further multiplied the problems as it became impossible for the consumers to move because of the mud and garbage. A number of employees have been hired to maintain cleanliness but they are hardly seen carrying out their responsibility. There is no proper mechanism for keeping the market clean, despite the fact that the civic authority has hired a number of employees for the purpose. There is no water, fire safety equipment or electricity at the New Sabzi Mandi, complained the vendors A vendor informed this agency that there was no entry schedule of trucks and other vehicle to unload their goods in Sabzi Mandi. These trucks can enter at any time causing traffic problems for the people. The stall and push cart holders have even occupied the main road causing problems for both traffic and pedestrians. In recent months, rising levels of theft have also emerged as a major threat to business at the mandi. “Even retailers are being looted now,” the traders told “We hear of a daylight robbery almost every day, even though there is a police picket in the market. People are scared and some went to the extent of hiring private security guards after a trader was shot dead upon resisting theft some months ago.”

Some of the mandi’s traders believe that the set-up of political offices in the market a few years ago has led to the deteriorating law and order situation since the members of some political parties provide refuge to criminal elements. “The situation has worsened to the extent that gun-toting political parties’ workers extort money from traders and drivers, and the police are reluctant to register FIRs”.