MINGORA: People from different walks of life have appreciated the decision to shift the vegetable and fruit market from Mingora to Odigram.

Talking to reporters here, political and social activists and elders showed gratitude over the agreement reached between the wholesalers and tehsil municipal administration for shifting vegetable and fruit market from the centre of Mingora town to Odigram.

“Mingora town faces multiple issues as it has become congested and hugely populated where roads usually remain blocked. Keeping in view that the vegetable and fruit market should have been shifted out of the city a decade ago,” said Nisar Ali, a social activist.

Commuters from Kalam, Bahrain, Khwazakhela, Charbagh and district Shangla face troubles due to blockade of the road in the city owing to rush of people and vehicles in the fruit market.

“I usually leave home early in the morning to reach my college on time which is just seven kilometres from my house, but even then it takes me two to three hours to reach my destination because of heavy rush and blockade of road in the city,” Faisal Khan of Manglore regretted.

“The main road in front of the fruit market always remains covered with vegetable and fruit trash giving a dirty look. The vegetable dealers throw garbage on the road which is awful,” said Sikandar Khan, a resident of Raja Abad.

In past, many attempts were made to shift the market outside the town but the influential traders prevailed.

However, both TMA and traders agreed on shifting the market at a meeting the other day attended by office-bearers of the vegetable and fruit market’s association, tehsil nazim Ikram Khan and CMO Khizar Hayat Shah. It is to mention here that 70 kanal of land has been selected in Odigram for the purpose.

Tehsil nazim Ikram Khan said that the new vegetable and fruit market would be equipped with modern facilities with a mosque, a bank, washrooms and waiting rooms.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017