Six months after inauguration, APMC stalls in Gauribidanur remain closed

The ‘new’ market complex, constructed at Mahatma Gandhi Circle was inaugurated six months ago but is yet to be rented out. 

Vegetable vendors, having grown tired of waiting for stalls at the complex, built by the Town Municipal Council at an expenditure of Rs two crore, are now selling vegetables sitting in plastic tents near Madhugiri Road. Dirt and muck frequent the stalls. Congestion is another problem in the area.

“News that a building was under construction at the vegetable market delighted us. It would mean we could escape selling vegetables sitting in the scorching heat and fighting dust, slush and even rain. We presumed we would get stalls in a few days of completion of the building. Our wait continues, although the reason for the wait is something we could not grasp,” said Narayanappa, a businessman.

V Ramesh, vice-president of the TMC, who spoke to Deccan Herald, said the delay was because the new building was yet to be provided with a transformer for power supply.

“Work on installing the transformer is on and would require about another month for completion,” he said.

“Once all facilities are provided, the stalls on the ground floor will be auctioned to about 75 vendors. The other stalls will be auctioned publicly,” added Ramesh.

“A new floor is being constructed above the vegetable market at an expenditure of Rs 22 lakh. The new stalls will be a part of the flower market,” he said.