Bashir Assad
Srinagar, Oct 19 : The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir today saw the first signs of bustling commercial life after the destructive flood in September. The Sunday Market, one of the most defining features of Srinagar, was in full flow again today, extending from Radio Kashmir to Hari Singh High Street. The rush in the Sunday Market was almost double of what was seen before floods debilitated the city. Since most markets are still closed, it has been difficult for people to buy various products. With hundreds of vendors lining the roads with a large range of goods, Srinagar spilled out in huge numbers to shop at the Sunday Market.
Interestingly, wives and children of senior bureaucrats could be seen mixing with the ordinary townsfolk today at the market. "We have to buy thermals and woolens for the winter, but other markets in the city are yet to open.
So we decided to visit the Sundaymarket for all these purchases," said the wife of a senior police officer. However, shoppers complained that the rates in the Sunday Market are much higher as compared to the rates before September. "The Sunday Market used to be the best place to find good bargains in the city. But perhaps the vendors are aware that many markets in Srinagar and the adjoining towns are yet to recover from the devastation caused by the flood. Hence they have hiked rates of goods sold here, and the common shopper has no choice but to pay the amount demanded by them," said Fayaz Ahmad, the son of CPI (M) leader MY Tarigami. It was observed that goods of high-end shops which had been flooded in September had found its way to the Sunday Market. Many vendors were seen cleaning these branded products and trying to find a good price for them. These included shoes, fine crockery, woolens, carpets etc.
With hundreds of vendors jostling for space along one side of the road, and thousands of vehicles closely parked on the other side, it was difficult to find any space in the entire area from Radio Kashmir to Hari Singh High Street. Abdul Rashid, who was selling blanked opposite the MC Park, said that sales were good today, because people from adjoining towns and villages had also come to the Sunday Market for shopping.
"We and some other vendors had come and set up shop last Sunday also. But it is only today that both the vendors and the shoppers are here in huge numbers," he said. Meanwhile, the muck and debris taken out of the shops in the Lal Chowk area was being cleaned and taken away today also. Many shops are being repaired. "We are hopeful that in about one week, we are able to resume business," said Abdul Hameed Guru, a retailer of Kashmiri handicrafts and garments in Regal Chowk. With the winter approaching fast, the vendors at the Sunday Market are expecting brisk business in the weeks to come. |
