Sanitation condition at federal capital’s Fruit & Vegetable market putting health of the people at risk

ISLAMABAD, August 4 (SABAH): Sanitation condition at the federal capital’s Fruit and Vegetable market known as ‘Sabzi Mandi’ is putting health of the people at risk. As compared to Pakistan, the fruit and vegetable markets in different countries of the world source of making the people health instead of risking their health.

The garbage seen scattered here and there at a number of places in fruit and vegetable market of Islamabad is putting the buyers and sellers health at risk which is reflective of the point that relevant departments responsible for cleanliness, security and parking are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

“The entire market spread over almost a sector is filled with garbage, rotten vegetable and fruits making it a very hard for all the visitors, said Imran Ali, a buyer at Sabzi Mandi told “SABAH” on Friday.

“No officials of the relevant department bother to remove them from the site. During rains, buyers have to face more problems because of mud and garbage,” he added.

Another buyer complained that many vegetable sellers wash their produces with contaminated water, which he added, he witnessed this heinous act with his open eyes. This may put health of the buyers of these fruits and vegetables at risk.”

A shopkeeper on the condition of anonymity revealed that numerous unauthorized kiosks and stalls have been erected around the market and continued that some of them have been in the green belt located in front of the fruit market.

According to sources, the market committee which is responsible for all the cleanliness matters, has been running the affairs of Sabzi Mandi in a highly unprofessional manner. When Secretary Market Committee, ICT, Zafar Iqbal was approached, he declined to comment on the issue, stating time constraints.

In comparison with the aforementioned market, the Union Square Farmer’s Market that is located in the United States New York City is being run in a very professional manner.

Nothing is visible without a particular order. Cleanliness is hallmark of this market. Picture on the left side lures a visitor heart and mind and stresses him a must-visit to the market whereas picture on the right side shows that sensible visitors will feel reluctance to revisit it. 

Last but not least a large number of vendors offer organic products that maintain a high nutritional value, since they haven’t been tampered with through the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.