JOIN USMinister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader visited Central Market and fishing hub here on Monday.
He met the workers at the markets and thanked them for their support. The vendors were also shocked to see the Minister visiting them soon after taking oath.
The Central Market is one of the most happening place in the City. However, because of lack of waste disposal mechanism, the market has turned into most unhygienic place in the City. The dumping of rotten vegetables and other wastes on the roadsides has been causing inconvenience to the pedestrians, said Khader.
“Disposing the waste is the responsibility of the Mangalore City Corporation. If the waste is not disposed in a systematic manner, then it might spread contagious diseases. As a health minister, I am sure this will create a grave problem for me,” said Khader. The market houses hundreds of vendors selling vegetables, fruits, flowers etc. Though the market has been earning a good revenue, the building is in a deplorable condition. There are plans to build a new market here, but the waste disposal is a matter of concern, he added.
Lobo’s visit
Even newly-elected Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo plunged into action and visited the Central Market. Lobo also expressed displeasure over the dumping of rotten vegetables.
He said that a meeting with the officials will be convened soon to discuss plans for constructing a modern market complex. “We need to give priority for cleanliness in the city. There have been complaints on lack of infrastructure facilities in the market,” he said.
Vendors happy
The visit of the Minister and the MLA has cheered the vendors. “We have been living in dirt and so far no MLA or minister had paid a visit to see our condition. Not only the MLA, even our Minister met and spoke to us about our problems. They have said that the new market complex will be built so as to solve all the existing problems,” said a vendor.