Traders return to flooded markets

The main bazaar in Karachi could not be fully opened despite the end of Eid holidays.

Traders were busy draining rainwater and removing sewage from shops and lanes of the wholesale markets of the city.

Business owners in the old city area said they were left devastated by the deluge on holiday. Rainwater with sewage seeps into Old City Area Lighthouse to Tower Bazaar shops. When the shops were opened by the traders, there was rotten water in the shops. The shopkeepers had to bear loss of millions of rupees due to water intrusion in the shops selling electrical appliances from Light House to Denso hall on KMC Saddar office, MA Jinnah Road.

The business centers around Memon Masjid are also littered with mud and dirt, which are being removed by traders and shopkeepers themselves. The accumulation of dirty water in the shops of the cloth market spoiled the goods and caused loss of millions of rupees to the traders.

Shopkeepers of Iqbal Market said that a sewerage line was laid in the area a few months ago but the area was submerged. Bolton Market, Medicine Market and Jodia Bazaar is also littered with garbage.

According to traders, in this situation, it is difficult for the shopkeepers to reach the shops, so how will the customers turn to the markets?

Various bazaars in Saddar, North Nazimabad and North Karachi remained partially shut and traders were seen cleaning mud. The streets of famous shopping hub of Zebun Nisa Street and Bohri Bazaar were also covered with sewage and mud.

Traders have demanded the Sindh government to clear rainwater and mud from the markets on an emergency basis so that trade activities can resume soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2022.