Udupi: Poor sanitation and inadequate maintenance at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market yard in Udupi have raised concerns among farmers, traders and customers, with clogged drains, scattered garbage, dilapidated buildings and non-functional drinking water facilities affecting the premises.
The market yard attracts hundreds of farmers, traders, labourers and customers every day, with agricultural produce worth lakhs of rupees traded on the premises. However, the reported lack of cleanliness and basic facilities has raised concerns about public hygiene and the risk of disease.
Choked drains and garbage raise hygiene concerns
Several drains within the market premises are reportedly clogged with accumulated silt and emitting a foul smell. Plastic bags, empty water bottles and other discarded plastic items are scattered across different parts of the yard, adding to the sanitation problems.
The situation has raised particular concern because vegetables and fruits are being stored and sold close to some of these unhygienic areas.
The foul odour and accumulation of waste have prompted demands for immediate cleaning and better upkeep of the market. Farmers and traders who visit the yard regularly are among those affected by the conditions.
With large numbers of people accessing the premises daily, poor waste management and inadequate drainage maintenance could pose public health concerns if left unaddressed.
Toilets in disrepair, old buildings need attention
The condition of public toilets has also become a concern. Although toilets were constructed for farmers and other visitors, some have reportedly fallen into disrepair due to inadequate maintenance.
A few toilets remain locked, forcing people to look for alternatives, with reports indicating that some resort to open defecation.
The lack of accessible and properly maintained sanitation facilities has added to the difficulties faced by people spending several hours at the market.
Several buildings within the APMC premises are also decades old and reportedly in a dilapidated condition. The absence of timely repairs has raised questions about the upkeep of the market’s basic infrastructure.
Farmers and local residents have called for the toilets to be repaired and reopened for public use, along with necessary maintenance of ageing buildings.
Drinking water units remain non-functional
The pure drinking water units installed within the market yard have reportedly stopped functioning, with their pipeline connections cut off.
As a result, farmers, traders and customers are being forced to purchase bottled water instead of accessing the drinking water facilities provided at the premises.
The closure of these units has added to the inconvenience for visitors, particularly those who spend long hours buying, selling or transporting agricultural produce.
Restoring the drinking water supply has therefore emerged as one of the key demands raised by farmers’ organisations and local residents.
Farmers seek immediate intervention
The reported sanitation and infrastructure problems have prompted demands for urgent action from APMC officials and the market management.
Farmer organisations and residents have called for the entire premises to be cleaned, accumulated silt to be removed from drains, and waste to be cleared regularly.
They have also sought repairs to the damaged toilets, reopening of locked facilities and restoration of the drinking water units. The maintenance of old buildings and improved waste disposal arrangements have been highlighted as additional priorities.
Given the volume of agricultural transactions taking place at the market, those raising the concerns have stressed the need to ensure that basic facilities are maintained for everyone using the yard.
APMC says cleaning work has been contracted
Responding to the concerns, the APMC authorities said a contract had been awarded through a tender for cleaning work at the market yard.
According to the response, cleaning operations are carried out daily after the market closes. Grass growing within the APMC compound is cleared twice a year, and the latest grass-cutting work has recently commenced.
The authorities also said the contractor had already been instructed to remove silt accumulated in the drains.
However, concerns remain over the condition of the toilets, drinking water units and ageing buildings. Addressing these issues alongside routine cleaning will be important to improve hygiene and convenience at the market yard.
The situation has renewed calls for regular maintenance and timely repairs to ensure that Udupi’s APMC market remains a clean and functional space for farmers, traders and customers.