16 May,2014 07:41 AM IST | | Ankoor Anvekar
Traders at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee in Vashi are alleging that the market lacks basic infrastructure; most of the shops and godowns require urgent repairs, and are unsafe
The hub of wholesale food produce in Mumbai, Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi, is facing an uncertain future. According to the traders and mathadi workers at the market, most of the shops and godowns are in a dilapidated condition, with a majority of them beyond repair.
Traders at the APMC market claim that the crumbling structure poses a serious threat to traders, labourers as well as customers
A trader from APMC said that the market, which handles tonnes of agricultural produce on a daily basis, lacks basic infrastructure, and more than half of its godowns and shops in sub-markets like fruit, vegetables, spices and onion-potato, require urgent repair and are unsafe.
Moreover, facilities like washrooms and toilets are in a pathetic condition, and traders allege that authorities are least concerned, even after they have raised the issue a number of times. They further claimed that the board members have been giving them false promises, while they are not interested in redeveloping the market.
The shoddy condition of the shops and godowns poses a serious threat to traders, labourers as well as customers. During monsoons, leakages are observed in many godowns which ends up damaging the goods.
