The shopkeepers in the fish market adjacent to city railway station are losing business as the approach road is in bad shape after it was dug up by the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) authorities.
With a purpose to remove encroachments in front of the shops, the MCB had dug up the cemented portion on roadsides and didn't level it. Now, the area turns into a big pond every time it rains, affecting the business of the shopowners.
Arun Bansal, one of shopkeepers in the market, said that pucca portions on roadsides were removed by the corporation about three months back. "It rained for a few minutes two days back and the whole road got inundated. Reaching our shops becomes a tough task,"he said.
He said that shopkeepers have raised the issue before the administration several times but nothing was done. The shopkeepers rued that the sewerage along the road remained choked most of the times and dirty water often overflow on the road, resulting in stink.
Rohit Sony, who runs an eatery in the adjacent lain, said that the stink from the sewage was affecting their business. "Customers do not prefer to sit in our shop due to foul smell emanating from the market,"he said.
President of electronics shopkeepers association of fish market, Madan Yadav, said that they were suffering due to MCB's ill-planned working. "After removing the encroachments by digging up the roadsides, the civic body was supposed to level the pathways, which it didn't do,"he said. "The conditions are taking a toll on the health of the shopkeepers who have to spend considerable time in shops. The uncivic conditions also put the city in bad light as the area is close to the railway station,"he said.
{{/usCountry}}President of electronics shopkeepers association of fish market, Madan Yadav, said that they were suffering due to MCB's ill-planned working. "After removing the encroachments by digging up the roadsides, the civic body was supposed to level the pathways, which it didn't do,"he said. "The conditions are taking a toll on the health of the shopkeepers who have to spend considerable time in shops. The uncivic conditions also put the city in bad light as the area is close to the railway station,"he said.
{{/usCountry}}Assistant commissioner, MCB, Kamal Kant Goyal, said that the sewerage line along the road was choked, while the motors deployed for suction of water from road had developed some snag two-three days back, leading to the problem. He said that the sewerage line would be repaired soon. Also, the work of road repair would start soon as the work had already been allotted, he said.
Citizens' speak
After the MCB cleared the market of encroachments three months back, the area turns into a big pond every time it rains.
Arun Bansal, shopkeeper
The stink from the road is affecting our business. People don't prefer to have food under such conditions.
Rohit Sony, dhaba owner
We have raised the issue before the MCB officials several times, but to no avail. We are being forced to stay in pathetic conditions.
Madan Yadav, president of electronics shopkeepers association
The sewerage will be cleaned in a few days, whereas repairing of the road will be done soon as work has already been allotted.
Kamal Kant Goyal, assistant commissioner, MCB