Flower vendors cramped for space, business withers
The only flower market of the city is in a deplorable plight
By : phanindra reddy. p
Update: 2015-05-05 07:38 GMT
VIJAYAWADA: While Vijayawada is seeing rapid development in various fronts, the only flower market of the city, is in a deplorable plight. The old and famous flower market in the city is faced with myriad problems and vendors are seeking an enduring solution from the municipal corporation.
The flower market catering to the needs of entire Vijayawada city, was constructed in a congested place in 2004, besides Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. Flowers from the market are also exported to Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and some surrounding districts.
But being surrounded by traffic-choked roads and owing to poor maintenance of premises, sales have plummeted. Vendors, who have been doing business here for many years, are feeling despondent as their requests to the government for an alternative suitable and spacious location with parking and other amenities have not been answered.
Having an adjacent vegetable market to the right and the VMC office on its left, flower market vendors face severe problems when there is a heavy rush of vehicles. With little parking area, helpless customers park their vehicles on road, leading to traffic jams.
Cleanliness and sanitation is another major problem. The waste that comes from the vegetable and flower markets are left in the open to rot. Besides, the market has no toilets or water facility.