Nasirpur sabzimandi
ram
anurag bahl
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anil nayal
IN WEST Delhi areas like Uttam Nagar, Dwarka, Nasirpur, Dabri and Janakpuri, vegetables is a word that is associated with words like scarcity , illegality encroachment and traffic , congestion.
The residents of Kumudi Apartments, Nasirpur, have been complaining about the illegal sabzi mandi operating next to their colony .
Says A. D. V Menon, honorary secretary Kumudi Apartments RWA, , "The sanitary condition around our apartment complex is appalling. Our approach road has been heavily encroached. And the unauthorised subzi mandi operating from the area is the reason for all our problems. Both the DDA and MCD have taken no action for violation of rules regarding land use. The residents of the area are being forced to live in an unhealthy environment. This issue has been, time and again, highlighted by us at different forums but the officials concerned are ignoring our voice." Another illegal sabzi market is operating from the Dabri Palam Chowk, after encroaching public land. Some five years ago, the MCD had created a few sheds next to the illegal market for the vegetable vendors but they did not find the offer to their liking. So the market continues to operate from the encroached land while the sheds put up by the MCD are being used by anti-social elements.
In Dwarka, where police stopped the weekly markets, the only reliable source of vegetables, from operating on security grounds, there is a scarcity Says Suraj Arora, a resident of .
Sector 12, "We have shifted here re cently from Rohini. The lack of fruits and vegetables is the most severe problem we are facing. Close to Azadpur and a good 15 years in existence, Rohini has an abundance options to buy vegetables and fruits buying options, which Dwarka does not have.
Whatever little is available is over priced." The residents point out that it is all because of lack of planning. Says Kapil Bhardwaj, a resident of Sector 9, Dwarka, "When DDA made so many shopping complexes in Dwarka, could they not have created some permanent shops for vegetables vendors. Dwarka is a planned city and DDA should have thought of it. Get ting vegetables here is no problem as there is a vegetable and fruit mandi at Keshopur near Vikaspuri. But in Dwarka, MCD does not allow vendors to operate and they also do not provide permanent places for them." There is another illegal but popular vegetable market on Najafgarh Road near Uttam Nagar, but there is massive traffic congestion because of that.
"We have tried several times to clear the road of these vendors but they come back as the area police do not support us," says a traffic police officer from the area.
As for the Keshopur mandi, near Vikaspuri, it has problems of its own. The six years old, Choudhary Chetram wholesale fruit and vegetable market, popularly known as Keshopur Sabzi Mandi, gets 100-150 trucks of supply on a daily basis and scores of daily visitors.
But still there is no proper drinking water facility There are two tube .
wells in the mandi but they are not operational any more as the water level has gone down.
But there is some hope for Dwarka residents, as the Delhi Agriculture Commerce Board is planning to shift the Nasirpur mandi to Dwarka. As of now discussions are on with the DDA in the matter. The DDA has agreed to the plan in principle.