Transaction between traders and consumers goes on a slushy road at Chhatrabazaar. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 16: Monsoon has compounded miseries of the traders of Chhatrabazaar by filling the crater-dotted road along the Taladanda canal with rainwater and sewage.

A trader at Chhatrabazaar, the largest vegetable market of the state, alleged that the road that passed through it had not been repaired in the past two years. As a result, the entire stretch from Chhatrabazaar to Professorpara and Ranihat becomes dotted with huge craters.

“The crater-dotted Chhatrabazaar Canal Road causes enormous problems for us, apart from farmers and other commuters. The irrigation department should initiate measures to repair the thoroughfare at their earliest,” said Kedar Sahu, a trader.

Vendors are being forced to sell vegetables in an unhygienic condition because of slush on the road caused by monsoon.

“The entire road is in bad shape. It poses a threat for the consumers, who come to shop here,” said Sujata Das, a local resident.

The Chhatrabazar mandi caters to the bulk of the vegetable requirements of the twin cities. Hundreds of local residents also come to the market to buy fresh vegetables from the traders, who sell their products on both sides of the road.

The road also acts as a link between Bajrakabati, Ranihat, OMP Square, Nayabazaar and many other vital destinations, including Matru Bhavan.

Secretary of the Chhatrabazar Byabasaik Sangha Devendra Sahu also urged for urgent steps to repair the road.

“The road creates problems for traders as well as consumers,” he said.

An official of the Mahanadi south division, however, said the tender process for repair of Chhatrabazaar Canal Road had been over and the work was expected to begin within a few months.

“The repair work delayed because of the monsoon. We hope the work will begin in October,” said Jobra sub-divisional irrigation officer Babulal Behera.

Behera also said the entire stretch from Chhatrabazaar to Nayabazaar would be repaired for Rs 12 lakh, while repair from Chhatrbazaar to Jobra via Ranihat would be taken up for Rs 15 lakh.