A stench ahead

Traders say cattle markets remain untouched by sanitation workers; organisers claim otherwise

PESHAWAR: Everything in the cattle markets is covered by a thick layer of dust, including piles of dung left behind by the sacrificial animals dressed to the nines. As the dust settles, the odours steam up to greet the locals who visit the mandis or have the misfortune to live near one.

Although they call it the ‘New’ Mall Mandi Ring Road, at first glance it looks like sanitation workers have never visited the place. More surprising as this is not an Eid-specific market, but is there around the year.

Of filth and fodder

“This place is never cleaned,” Anayatullah, a trader, told The Express Tribune. What he really meant was; the market was never maintained by the city staff but by the traders themselves. Anayatullah was cleaning up animal droppings as he spoke.

He is among the butchers who are in business year round. “We pay Rs7,000 per manger to the authority during Eid days and they also charge Rs30 per animal as an entry fee and up to Rs1,000 as the exit fee, but little is spent on keeping the market clean.”

When contacted, Muhammad Iqbal, one of the supervisors of the market, said their staff scoop up and wheel out dung and other waste from the market but it gets dirty again.

“They are animals; one can’t clean their place of living to the same standards as our houses.” However, none of his machinery or sanitary workers could be seen on duty, despite complaints from butchers and dealers at each stall or manger.

Unfazed foodies

The stench did not prevent food carts from doing good business. Mingled with the stench of animal excrement, the aroma of biryani, Kabuli pulao and beef tikka wafted through the market. Some of these eateries are seasonal, others perennial and all do good business, unhindered by the unappetising odours.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2015.