BELAGAVI
With authorities in Karnataka and Goa relaxing lockdown and curfew restrictions, Goans have begun visiting the many showrooms, malls and markets in Belagavi to make their purchases ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi.
The arrival of Goans in Belagavi for their festive purchases has brought much cheer to the business community in Belagavi. “We had a terrible time since the last four months due to the total lockdown which was followed by the weekend curfew. We had to maintain stocks and support our staff even though sales had crashed during these four months,” Raju Khoda of Mangaldeep told The Goan.
“However, since the weekend curfew was withdrawn last week, business seems to be limping back to normalcy.”
With their hopes pinned on the arrival of the festival season which commences from Ganesh festival this week, the garment market here is waiting for the situation to be normal and the rainfall to recede.
“After the weekend curfew was withdrawn since last week, Goan customers have gradually started visiting Belagavi. The situation seems to be hopeful. I would like to urge our Goan patrons to visit Belagavi as the Covid situation here has improved with the rate of positivity almost negligible,” said Suresh Porwal of The Raymond shop.
“The Belagavi market has largely depended on Goan customers for ages,” he added.
Traders in Belagavi have appealed to Goans to visit Belagavi City for all their purchases and for their weekend breaks.
Stop harassing Goan motorists: Traders
BELAGAVI: Trading associations in Belagavi have decided to submit a memorandum to the city police commissioner, following rising complaints regarding Goan vehicle owners being harassed by traffic police.
“Our authorities need to realise that Belagavi market cannot survive without customers from Goa and Maharashtra. However, most tourists and customers from these two states are scared to visit the city as many times they have to face the wrath of the traffic police who are seen harassing these motorists,” Hemendra Porwal, president of Shri Belgaum Cloth Merchants association, told The Goan.
“We have brought this to the notice of authorities time and again. Once again, we will submit a memorandum to police authorities, urging them not to harass tourists and customers from neighbouring states and to facilitate their arrival.”
“This, in turn, will benefit the Belagavi market to get back on track after going through huge losses,” Porwal added.
