Here garbage and vegetables exist cheek by jowl, making it difficult at times to distinguish between the two. Welcome to Budh Bazar, a market that operates only on Wednesdays or `Budh’ in the vernacular.
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The 100-year-old vegetable market at Saukuchi is now confusing people as the vegetables there are sold at a place where garbage is dumped. People of the area are irked at the authorities as despite repeated requests the new garbage transfer station in the middle of the market is not shifted.
A vendor, who has been selling vegetables in the market for the past 35 years, talking to GPlus said, “Since the past year people are throwing garbage here and the area reeks,” adding that many customers do not come to the market now only because of the garbage. He also said that the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) people come and collect money from the vendors every week, but never help them resolve the issue.
An elderly lady, who has been a regular visitor to the market for the past 40 years, told GPlus, “This is a historic market which should be preserved, but forget about providing better amenities, the government has made it a filthy place where people cannot even stand because of the stink.”
Hemanta Bey, a resident of the area and member of the local residential committee talking to GPlus said, “We have complained to the GMC several times but they are not helping. Earlier, when the local committee used to manage the market it was well maintained, but now GMC has taken over and the garbage issue has not yet been resolved,” adding that many people are falling sick in the area because of the garbage.
He explained that Budh Bazar is a 100-year-old market which initially started with the sale of organic vegetables only. “Even now many vendors sell only organic vegetables,” he said, adding that in Guwahati local pork is sold only in this market besides local fish.
He further said that the idols of Durga from pujas at AK Azad Road and also near Lokhara are immersed in Basistha river from the place where garbage is dumped now. He further said that there is also a 150-year-old cremation ground near the market which is also considered sacred in the area.
Another local resident popularly known as Chacha talking to GPlus said, “There will be aggressive protests if the garbage dumping is not stopped in the area.”
A source in the GMC said that as the work of the Lal Ganesh flyover is ongoing the garbage which used to be dumped at Lal Ganesh by NGOs is now dumped at Budh Bazar because it is an open space and there are no other spots in the area.
The local councillor and the Deputy Mayor of Guwahati, Smita Roy, talking to GPlus said, “I am aware of the issue and the garbage dumping station will very soon be removed from the area as we are searching for a different place.” She said that she understands the importance of the market and, therefore, it is declared as a vending zone.
Be that as it may, until the GMC acts, people are forced to buy vegetables amidst garbage.