KARACHI, Nov 10: Lea Market, a vital component of urban heritage developed in the early 20th century, and its environs now present a horrible picture with heavy encroachment, pollution, traffic mess and dilapidated physical infrastructure.

Named after a British engineer Measham Lea who had extensively served in Karachi, the market is located on a trapezoidal piece of land.

The area has remained in use as a wholesale trading space for vegetables, fruits and other forms of agricultural produce since 1927.

No wonder the market has been one of the most frequented spots in the city due to its connectivity and economic potential. It was an important junction in the layout of old Karachi because important streets such as Napier Road, Embankment Road, River Street, Kundan Street, Sheedi Village Road, Kumbhar Wara Road and Siddiq Wahab Road all were linked to it.

The architecture of Lea Market adopted by the British was normally used for functional buildings that existed in abundance in the old town of Karachi as well as along Drigh Road (now Sharea Faisal), Malir and other suburban locations. Stone was cheap and abundantly available for construction. It was, therefore, lavishly used in routine construction, which is evident from the architecture of other buildings erected in the vicinity.

Originally, the market was built to cater to the needs of people of old town areas. After independence, it emerged as a major trading centre that was also frequented by the middle class people of the interior Sindh and Balochistan. Initially, the market had two blocks. Vegetable, fish, meat and other merchandise were retailed inside these blocks.

In 1937, two more blocks were added due to the rising demand of consumer goods. In the 1940s, a clock tower was added to the market space in plain cement concrete finishes. The tower has become a significant land mark though it has developed cracks over the years.

In the absence of proper planning and with the growth of population and an increase in volume of transport over the years, the conditions of the market and its surroundings began to deteriorate. It was mainly due to illegal bus stands and mushroom growth of warehouses that the Lea Market could not retain its glories.

At present, the entire frontage of the market is infested with encroachments. Encroachers have occupied even the space underneath the clock tower. The tower badly needs repair as it has developed cracks at several points.

Traffic volume around the market has risen enormously. Its surroundings have become a large transit camp instead of being a tranquil urban market space.

A market survey shows that unchecked commercialisation, dilapidated physical infrastructure, change of land use and setting up of illegal bus terminals and truck stands in the area have added to the mess.

The situation calls for a proper traffic re-routing plan to shed the undesirable load of inter-city buses and trucks passing close by the market.

Residents suggest that a well-designated zone outside the market premises should be created to shift the excess hawkers there. They also demand of the authorities to restore the past glories of its buildings by adopting proper planning and using skilled workforce.