Customers and shopkeepers at the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) Market Complex have been facing a serious safety risk on account of the damaged iron staircase leading to the complex.
On account of the damaged staircase, many customers are avoiding the market, resulting in a significant decline in business for several shop owners.
Shopkeepers have petitioned the VMC to take immediate action by repairing the damaged staircase and ensuring safe access to the complex.
The VMC Market Complex, located in the heart of Valpoi town, houses a variety of businesses.
Hundreds of customers visit the complex every day. However, some of the three iron staircases providing access to the building have deteriorated and are now in a dangerous condition.
Shopkeepers said they have been demanding the construction of permanent concrete staircases instead of temporary iron ones for several years. They claimed that authorities have failed to address the issue despite repeated requests. The situation worsened two days ago when a portion of the staircase collapsed, making it even more hazardous.
With damaged metal sheets and broken support structures, the staircase now poses a serious risk of accidents. Elderly citizens, women, children and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable while using it. As a result, many customers are reluctant to visit the market due to safety concerns.
Speaking to the media, shopkeepers said their businesses were already suffering because of inadequate parking facilities in the town.
The damaged staircase has further reduced customer footfall, making it difficult for many businesses to survive. Some traders stated that they are struggling even to meet their daily operating expenses.
According to shopkeepers, the old municipal market was demolished and replaced with the present modern market complex. The original traders were allotted shops in the new building, while several new entrepreneurs also started businesses there.
Despite the modern structure, the lack of essential facilities has prevented the market from attracting the expected number of customers, adversely affecting business activities.
Shopkeepers also pointed out that the complex suffers from several other issues, including inadequate maintenance, poor cleanliness, insufficient parking facilities and the absence of proper customer amenities. They stressed that these long-pending problems require immediate attention.
The traders have demanded that the Municipal Council undertake urgent repairs to the damaged staircase. They further urged authorities not to limit the work to temporary repairs but to replace the iron staircase with a strong and permanent concrete staircase to ensure public safety and improve accessibility.
Local residents have also expressed concern, stating that safety in public buildings should be treated as a top priority. They have appealed to the municipal administrator to inspect the site personally, allocate the required funds and complete the repair work on a priority basis.
