Traders oppose 'forcible relocation' to new market

Point to lack of basic facilities in new Hala Naka vegetable market

HYDERABABD: The Hyderabad Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry (HCSTSI) has called for an end to the ongoing 'forcible' relocation of traders from the old vegetable market to the new one at the city's outskirts.

The chamber's president, Doulat Ram Lohano, said he had requested Hyderabad Commissioner Muhammad Abbass Baloch and deputy commissioner (DC) Fuad Ghaffar Soomro to stop the use of force to shift the traders.

"The vegetable and fruit traders say that they themselves wanted to shift to the new market but the Hyderabad Market Committee [in charge of the administrative affairs] has failed to provide even basic facilities."

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Though the controversy has been lingering for years, the district administration expedited its efforts for relocation in early March, in view of the coronavirus crisis.

Since then many traders have voluntarily shifted to the new market, while for some others, the authorities resorted to employing force.

Last week, Soomro asked the Latifabad assistant commissioner (AC) to speed up the relocation.

However, the traders, who had already taken the matter to the Sindh High Court, filed a contempt plea, with the court putting the DC, AC and the Market Committee chairperson on notice for May 14.

The traders point to stumbling blocks such as lack of sewerage, boundary walls, internal roads, electric transformers, a mosque, bank branches and the multiple allotment of 34 properties.



They deplored that the authorities were forcing them to shift to the new market in Hala Naka knowing full well about the missing facilities.

The vegetable and fruit traders, whose delegation met the chamber's office bearers on Saturday, requested the HCSTSI to take up the matter with the district administration for early resolution.