Heaps of garbage at the Dinabandhu Biplabpani market in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath das

Cuttack, Oct. 28: The Dinabandhu Biplabpani market at Buxi Bazar is crying for urgent measures for its all-round development.

Owing to lack of adequate attention to its improvement, the oldest daily market, which has been operational since 1976, is reeling from neglect.

“The authorities have failed to address the key problems at the daily market that caters to vegetable and other essential commodities of the people of Buxi Bazar and nearby localities,” said secretary of Dinabandhu Biplabpani market Batakrushna Behera.

Behera said the market was established by the Cuttack Improvement Trust in 1976 and later handed over to the Cuttack Development Authority. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation is entrusted with the job of maintaining sanitation at the market.

The traders allege that it is now for almost a couple of months that things have worsened as no steps are being taken to clear the waste generated from the market on a regular basis.

“There is absolutely no sanitation maintained at the market, which is causing lots of problems for the shopkeepers and other traders here,” said Sultan Khan, a shopkeeper. Khan said heaps of garbage could be found dumped across the market which got days together for removal. This is causing problems to the traders and the consumers coming to the daily market.

“There has been no change in the overall scenario at the market which has turned into a dumpyard. Despite being one of the prominent markets, no step is being taken for maintaining sanitation here,” said Sudhanshu Swain, a consumer.

At present, there are 161 shops which are categorised under group A and B. Out of these, 98 falls under A category while the rest in category B.

Moreover, most of the shops are now in dilapidated condition.

“The roofs are leaking with cracks on walls. We are scared that the shops might collapse because there have been no repair work for the last couple of years,” said Mohammad Shamin, another trader.

Despite several attempts, officials of the Cuttack Developmental Authority could not be contacted on the issue.

Local councillor A. Ahalya Devi admitted that there were some problems in daily collection and disposal of waste generated from the market.

“Though two sweepers have been engaged in the collection and disposal of garbage from the market, it is not adequate as they are facing problems in lifting the remains of fish and meat dumped there,” said Devi.

The councillor further said efforts were on to ensure that all round sanitation was maintained at the daily market.