Udupi, Jun 19: The bustling city of Udupi is grappling with significant issues at its daily vegetable market near the old KSRTC bus stand, which is currently in a severe state of disrepair and lacking essential amenities.
The Vishweshwarayya daily market presents daily challenges for both customers and shopkeepers. Shop owners are forced to rely on generators and solar power due to an unreliable electricity supply, bearing these expenses themselves. This highlights the market’s urgent need for basic infrastructure support.
Mohammad Naiz, a seasoned shopkeeper of 26 years, expressed his frustration, “No basic facilities are provided by the municipal authorities. Despite changing administrations, promises made during elections vanish once votes are cast. Politicians come and go, but no one cares about our problems. We submit complaints regularly, but no action is taken. There is no water supply, no power supply, and no proper pathways.”
The market’s challenges extend beyond infrastructure. During the rainy season, the area becomes a muddy mess, with uneven terrain causing injuries to residents and vendors alike.
The Udupi City Municipality has proposed rebuilding the market under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in recent budgets, aiming to address both the market’s structural issues and the city’s parking woes. However, these plans have yet to materialize, leaving the market’s 35 shopkeepers and additional street vendors disillusioned.
“As complaints continue to fall on deaf ears, the market’s plight serves as a stark reminder of governmental neglect and its impact on local communities,” remarked Naiz.
Residents and shopkeepers, resilient yet frustrated, demand immediate attention to their basic needs to restore safety and vitality to their market.