Pune: The Cantonment market building, constructed in 1885 in the Pune Cantonment, was to get a structural remake in 2018.
However, only some parts of the roof have been replaced and a cold storage room for meat and chicken, which has been constructed, is still non-functional.
The vegetable vendors at the market alleged that unauthorised meat vendors use the non-functional cold storage area to urinate which leaves an unbearable stench and bothers the whole market.
They accused the Cantonment officials of turning a blind eye to this problem.
A spot visit revealed that until now, only some roofs have been replaced and a cold storage room to keep the meat and chicken has been constructed, which is non-functional.
Shivaji Market Stall Holder Association President Sarad Borate said, “In 1885, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market, along with Pune market, was constructed by the British and was divided into sections comprising vegetables, chicken, meat and fish. The rules were much stricter then. But now the market, situated under Cantonment area, does not follow any strict rules. There is encroachment everywhere and the Cantonment Board does not have any control over it.”
PCB Chief Executive Officer DN Yadav said, “Due to revenue crunch, we are not able to carry out any repair works in the market. But we are taking stern actions over illegal things happening at the market as we had recently conducted an anti-encroachment drive.”
Prakash Kudake, an authorised vegetable vendor in the area, said, “There are 476 authorised stalls in the market but more unauthorised ones outside the market. We are liable to pay all the taxes by following rules and regulations but the unauthorised stalls outside the market do not have to pay any taxes.”
Another authorised vegetable vendor, Sagar Wanjale, said, “Small thefts keep on taking place in the market as there is no security.”
He lamented lack of dustbins, supervisor, no check by PCB sanitary inspector and slaughtering in the market which is supposed to take place at the slaughtering house in Kondhwa.
“The cold storage has turned into a urinal and the whole market stinks,” said vegetable vendor Nitin Darode.
The ward officer of the area, Ashok Pawar, said, “These issues pertaining to the market have been raised several times at the Board meeting and every time the Board comes up with funds issue. When the budget is allocated, small repair work is carried out but getting everything functional will take time.”
False Promises made by the Board
