A car parked in front of Krushak Bazar and (above) shops remain shut at the fish market. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 25: A fish centre at the Krushak Bazar (farmers’ market) near Satichoura is yet to be made operational.

Though construction for the proposed fish centre has been over nearly a year ago, traders are yet to be allowed to carry out business at the market.

“We are now forced to sell fishes and chicken siting under temporary sheds,” said Gopi Sahu, a trader.

He said provision for nearly 64 traders had been made at the centre. There has been a delay in resuming trade at the market as works for electrification and provision for water were not over.

Besides the fish traders, 20 shops for vegetable and other traders are also lying unutilised because of the delay in completion of electrical works.

At present, 144 traders sell vegetables at Krushak Bazar that was inaugurated in 2001.

The state government set up Krushak Bazar under its 12-point initiative programme through the Regulated Market Committee to help farmers directly sell their produce to consumers.

People from CDA, Bidanasi, Chandni Chowk, Shelter Chhak and Deula Sahi and nearby localities depend on Krushak Bazar for purchasing vegetables as locally grown vegetables from Athgarh, Banki and other areas are available here.

“The Krushak Bazar is reeling from various problems owing to lack of proper maintenance and initiative on part of the officials to address to basic requirements of the traders,” said Kedar Das, another trader.

Das said the consumers often park their vehicles near the vegetable mandi, causing inconvenience to others. Though a vacant land adjacent to the main entrance to the market is left unutilised, no step is being taken to develop it as a parking lot.

Consequently, it has turned into a dump yard as the Cuttack Municipal Corporation remains apathetic towards maintaining all round sanitation.

“One can find waste dumped across the market which is not being cleaned on a daily basis. Similarly, there is acute waterlogging in case of heavy rain due to absence of proper drainage channel at the market,” said Netaji Nagar resident Narendra Majumdar.

On the other hand, a district administration official said steps were being taken to resolve the problems at Krushak Bazar.

“We have already taken steps to supply electricity and the fish market is expected to start shortly,” said Cuttack collector Girish S.N.

There are plans for all round development, including construction of roads and improvement of drainage systems, at the market.

The project will be taken up shortly after the civic body polls in February next year, Girish said.