The market, set up in a small area near the Sub-Divisional Office and the fish market, continues to function without a proper dedicated site or permanent infrastructure. This causes major inconvenience to both vendors and shoppers.
While the situation is manageable during the dry season, heavy rains have exposed the poor condition of the market space. Waterlogging and muddy ground make it difficult for business to continue smoothly.
Vendors have urged officials of the Sanguem Municipal Council to visit the market during rainy days to see the difficulties faced on the ground.
To protect their goods, traders use temporary tarpaulin sheets over their stalls. However, these are often not enough, as rainwater still leaks in and damages both products and customers get wet while shopping.
The market area frequently becomes waterlogged, forcing vendors to stand or sit in wet and muddy conditions while selling their goods. Movement inside the market also becomes difficult due to slippery and uneven ground.
To manage the slush, some traders spread vegetable waste and leaves on the ground, but this offers only limited relief as constant footfall quickly worsens the conditions.
According to vendors, many customers avoid the market due to its poor condition, leading to lower sales and financial losses. Some traders even reduce their stock or close early when rain damages their goods.
The adjoining fish market also faces similar issues, with poor drainage causing rainwater to collect and flow into the weekly market area.
Vendors have demanded urgent action, including either shifting the weekly market to a better location or constructing a permanent covered shed to protect traders and customers from the rain.
