Good bargains, bad management

The rotational ‘apni mandi’, or farmers’ vegetable market, may be an economical option for buyers, but it is a prime source of garbage as well.A classic case of a noble idea with mixed results

The rotational ‘apni mandi’, or farmers’ vegetable market, may be an economical option for buyers, but it is a prime source of garbage as well. A classic case of a noble idea with mixed results.

A tour of different localities through the week reveals that the vegetable waste left behind after the mandi winds up is not cleared in time by the authorities. For instance, garbage was littered a day after Tuesday’s apni mandi in a ground in Sector 16 and on Thursday in the Sector-5 ground behind the Hafed building.

HT Image

While the local office of the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board claimed that seven sweepers were deployed to clean the ground a day after mandis are held, HT found only two persons on the cleaning job in Sector 5 on Friday.
City resident Sanjay Malhotra said the major problem in apni mandis across Panchkula the lack of cleanliness. The cleaning staff leave a lot of waste while sweeping the venues.
Over time, one can see filth deposited in several corners, resulting in a constant stink and other hygiene problems.

Lack of parking space adds to the problem, not only creating a traffic hazard but also posing a risk to lives.

DP Singla, another resident, said that although the mandis were a good facility they needed to be streamlined.