Shahid Mehraj
Ganderbal, September 23: Poor sanitation facilities and neglected washrooms at the Zazna Fruit Mandi in Ganderbal district have become a major inconvenience for drivers, traders and non-local visitors who regularly visit the market from different parts of the country.
Several drivers and visitors alleged that the washrooms inside the mandi premises are in a poor and unusable condition, with inadequate cleanliness and no proper water supply. They said the lack of basic sanitation facilities is causing considerable hardship, particularly to drivers who spend long hours at the mandi.
Speaking to the media, a non-local driver from Haryana, Balwan Singh, said that drivers are charged an entry fee of ₹130, but basic facilities expected within the mandi premises are not available.
“We pay ₹130 as an entry fee, but there are no proper facilities here. The washrooms are in a completely neglected condition and there is no adequate water supply. Even drinking water is not readily available for drivers and others. We are forced to go outside the mandi to arrange water,” he said.
Drivers further alleged that the condition of the washrooms becomes particularly difficult during peak hours, when a large number of vehicles and people arrive at the mandi. They urged the concerned authorities and mandi management to take immediate steps to restore the facilities.
They called for regular cleaning of washrooms, uninterrupted water supply, provision of safe drinking water, proper maintenance and routine sanitation checks within the mandi premises.
The drivers also appealed to the concerned authorities to inspect the facilities and ensure that the entry fee collected from visitors and commercial vehicles is accompanied by adequate basic amenities.
They urged the authorities to intervene promptly and address the issue in the larger interest of traders, drivers, labourers and visitors using the mandi on a daily basis.(CNS)
