Debatable opinions have been raised over the redevelopment of the Pali Municipal Market. Vendors said they have not been paid pending dues by the builder, they also fear cancellation of licenses & non-allotment of gala space in the new building.
More than 60 vendors consisting of fruit, vegetable, fish & meat sellers who are currently sitting along the roadside at Pali market will be shifted to the new building which is being redeveloped by Manthan developers. The vendors will be shifted to the first floor where there will be a bank below & a commercial real estate development above along with a municipal hall & parking space in the middle floors.
The Pali Hill Residents’ Association revealed the new building does not have adequate ventilation. Also, the gala space has been reduced & galas are being sold illegally to certain vendors. On the other hand, the Pali Market Shopkeepers’ Association & BMC are pushing for the redevelopment as soon as possible to clear congestion caused by illegal vendors who are currently sitting outside the building on the street.
Asif Zakaria, Municipal Councillor of ward no. 101, said, “The market belongs to the BMC. The redevelopment of the market was delayed by Manthan developers time & again. BMC has now informed the developer to finish the work & open the market so that all vendors can be shifted inside the new building & the road will be cleared for smooth movement. We are awaiting O.C. following which we will shift vendors hopefully by the end of December.”
Vendors said they have not been paid due rent by the developer since the last 2 years. Vendors do not want to shift unless they are paid their due rent.
A vendor on request of anonymity said, “The builder who is now redeveloping the new market has not paid our due rent for the last two years. Once we shift inside, the builder might no longer be liable to pay rent as we will then fall directly under the BMC jurisdiction inside the municipal market. We want the builder to clear our pending dues before we are made to shift.”
In addition, the vendor revealed, “Out of 60 vendors, only 10 to 11 are legal with proper licenses in their name. Most of us do not have a license or, in some cases the license belongs to some other owner who has rented out a particular vendor. What will happen to those vendors who do not have a license? Will we be given a gala space inside the new market building? Will the BMC issue us a new license or do we have to pay a monthly rent to the BMC?”
Some of these vendors have been selling fruits, vegetables, fish & meat for the last 30 years at Pali Market. A vendor said, “I have been selling vegetables at Pali Market along the roadside since the last 38 years. I do not have a license but, I have been paying monthly rent to the BMC along with bribes or hafta to the police, municipal officers & other authorities. Where will I go if only licensed vendors are allowed to shift inside the new market building? How will I support my family?”
Madhu Poplai, Secretary of Pali Hill Residents’ Association said, “The new Pali Municipal Market is being redeveloped in a haphazard manner. I have visited the site, there is no ventilation for the vendors. The space between two opposite galas has been reduced to six feet which may lead to congestion. The galas are being rented out based on favouritism where some shopkeepers are given preference who are then renting the galas to small-time vendors. We are not against the market but we want the municipal market to be redeveloped in a legal & adequate manner.”
Dinesh Gupta, secretary of Pali Market Shopkeepers’ Association said, “There are a total of 62 vendors who are willing to shift to the new building. We were hesitant to shift because the builder has not paid due rent for the last two years. But the BMC is hell bound on shifting all vendors inside the new market building in order to clear congestion on the outside road.”
Despite repeated attempts, Abhijeet Rane, promoter of Manthan Developers, was not available for a comment.
