Shimona Sharma
Kisan Mandi’s in Chandigarh and SAS Nagar may be a bustling hub for people to procure fresh produce straight from the farmers, but once the vendors leave, the area presents a disturbing picture of garbage, foul odour and poor sanitation. What should be a clean and hygienic public space is instead left littered with vegetable waste, plastic bags and other refuse, raising serious concerns about public health and civic responsibility.
The market attracts hundreds of residents who come to purchase vegetables and other essentials. However, the condition of the ground after the market closes for the day tells a different story. Waste is frequently scattered across the area, while stray cattle and other animals are seen consuming discarded plastic along with food waste. This poses a serious threat to animal health and highlights the need for proper waste collection and disposal.
The accumulated garbage also creates an unhygienic environment conducive to mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. The foul smell emanating from the waste further adds to the discomfort of residents, shopkeepers and pedestrians who use the area regularly.
The situation becomes even more concerning in Mohali because Livasa Hospital in Sector 71, is located close to the market. An area surrounding a healthcare facility should ideally maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. Instead, the presence of rotting waste and stagnant refuse could potentially worsen the environment for patients, visitors, hospital staff and residents of the area.
Several shops, including medical and general stores, also operate in the vicinity and are affected by the persistent garbage. Shopkeepers and customers are forced to endure the unpleasant smell and unsanitary surroundings, particularly on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s, the days following the weekly Kisan mandi’s, the area is often left littered with waste.
Sharing her views on the problem in hand, Manjit Kaur, a resident of Sector 71, Mohali who lives opposite the place where the mandi is held twice every week, says, “It is good that we have fresh vegetable markets held twice in a week here, where we get fresh vegetables and fruits at the mandi rates. But what bothers us is the rotting smell and sight of the waste from the mandi which keeps lying here for days. Infact sometimes the smell is so dirty that we are unable to visit the mandi as well when it is going on.”
While Trilochan Singh, a retired government officer residing in Phase 3B2, who frequents the mandi to buy the fresh produce, says “I am worried about the overflowing dumps of rotting organic waste and plastic laden trash spread across the sectors which are posing serious health concerns. It is a systemic failure which requires urgent solution.”
What raises the biggest question is whether adequate cleaning is being carried out before the mandi is set up again the following week. If rotting waste remains on the ground for days, concerns naturally arise about hygiene and the overall cleanliness of the surroundings where food items are bought and sold.
Sarabjeet Singh, Municipal Councillor of Sector 71, Mohali, raised concerns over the prolonged accumulation of garbage in the area and sought immediate action from the concerned officials when contacted by The North News team.
Responding to the issues raised by our reporter, he said, “I’ll check and make sure it has been picked up on an immediate basis.” He also assured that he would verify the ground situation before giving further response.
When our reporter pointed out that the garbage had been lying there for a long time, Singh said the matter would not be limited to simply getting the waste removed. He said he would also investigate why the garbage had remained uncleared for so long. Singh further assured that he has already spoken to the Mandi Committee and instructed it to ensure that the area is cleaned immediately after any gathering, with no garbage or waste left behind. He warned that if the committee fails to comply with the instructions, a notice would be issued and the reasons behind the delay in cleaning would be investigated on an immediate basis.
The situation is the same in Chandigarh as well, sharing her views on the larger issue in hand, Prem Lata, Municipal Councillor from Ward No. 23, Chandigarh covering Sectors 34, 35 and 43, raised concerns over poor sanitation and encroachments at the weekly vegetable markets operating in the city. Talking to, The North News she says, “ a large quantity of garbage is left behind after the market closes and often remains uncleared for several days. She urged the concerned authorities to ensure that the area is cleaned immediately after the market ends. The situation becomes particularly serious during the rainy season, when stagnant water, rotting waste and foul odour create unhygienic conditions and increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Garbage and debris also make it difficult for pedestrians, especially senior citizens, to move through the area, while vehicles parked along the roads further obstruct traffic.”
Prem Lata also stressed that all concerned departments must take a collective responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring compliance with the rules set to hold such mandi’s in the city. Sanitation workers should carry out timely cleaning, while enforcement officials should prevent violations and ensure that vendors follow regulations. Lata also raised concerns over vendors frying samosas and papads on the roads, as well as the unauthorised placement of carts and other temporary structures. Adding more, Prem Lata, says, “the police should ensure that the market closes at the designated time. If the market shuts around 10 p.m, the area could be cleaned the same night. However, this does not happen consistently and after the weekly market, garbage sometimes remains at the site until the next mandi”.
Better coordination among the police, enforcement teams, sanitation workers and other departments is essential to solve this problem in hand. The sanitation problem at the vegetable market can only be resolved permanently if every department understands and fulfills its responsibility.
The responsibility for maintaining sanitation cannot rest solely on residents or vendors. The Municipal Corporation and concerned market authorities must ensure timely lifting of waste, regular cleaning and proper waste segregation. Vendors should also be encouraged, and where necessary required, to dispose of the waste responsibly.
These Kisan mandi’s are an important part of the local community, but its post-market condition demands immediate attention. Clean surroundings are not merely a matter of aesthetics they are essential for public health, animal welfare and the dignity of the area. A coordinated and consistent sanitation system is urgently needed to ensure that once the market closes, garbage does not become the next day’s headline.
