AHMEDABAD: Vegetable markets in Jamalpur and Kalupur, the fruit market in Naroda, and a dozen-odd smaller markets in the city have been shut down because they were drawing crowds, flouting the social distancing guideline.
The main wholesale market of Jamalpur has been relocated to Jetalsar APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) facility, which is about 10km from Narol on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city. The Jetalsar market will not let in CNG autorickshsaws. Loading rickshaw drivers will not be allowed to bring anybody with them.
“The Jamalpur market is too cramped for social distancing to be maintained,” said Deepak Patel, the APMC secretary. “Nor was it possible to check people entering the market. Jamalpur is part of the Walled City which is under surveillance and hence the wholesale market was shifted to Jetalsar on the Ahmedbad-Mumbai Highway.”
According to Patel there is no shortage of any vegetable, including onions. The city APMC gets 332 quintals of onions from Maharashtra and 2,926 quintals from Saurashtra. This was regular supply when local onions hit the market, he said.
Ahmed Patel, a wholesale dealer, said that the prices have actually reduced in the APMC by 10-15%. He said that during a meeting, the dealers were told that the shift to Jetalsar was necessary to ensure safety and hence everybody agreed.
Another dealer, Rafiq Shaikh, said that the prices have reduced as there is adequate supply. On Wednesday, the Jetalsar wholesale market received 30,060 quintals of vegetables, which dealers said was more than enough to cater to the city’s needs. Shaikh said that the shift had helped dealers as they are now able to also serve retailers from nearby villages.
“Earlier, we had to travel 9km to get vegetables but now we have to commute nearly 30km to reach the new market,” said Ramesh Prajapati, a vegetable vendor who has a shop near Anandnagar. “This has increased the transportation cost fourfold. Moreover, now with the Walled City closed, we are forced to take a longer route.” According to Prajapati, the increase in transportation cost has increased the prices.
“Earlier, there were fluctuations in prices but since the lockdown, we have noticed that the prices are only increasing,” said Manisha Shah, a resident of Satellite. “We are sure that if the lockdown is extended, the prices will definitely cross Rs 100 per kg.”
A Satellite housing society chairman said, “The AMC has launched a service to deliver vegetables in bulk.” He went on to say: “But one has to take orders, collect money, and then distribute the vegetables. The process is cumbersome. Also, in my society, there was a major hue and cry over prices and weight.” The society discontinued the service.
The main wholesale market of Jamalpur has been relocated to Jetalsar APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) facility, which is about 10km from Narol on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city. The Jetalsar market will not let in CNG autorickshsaws. Loading rickshaw drivers will not be allowed to bring anybody with them.
“The Jamalpur market is too cramped for social distancing to be maintained,” said Deepak Patel, the APMC secretary. “Nor was it possible to check people entering the market. Jamalpur is part of the Walled City which is under surveillance and hence the wholesale market was shifted to Jetalsar on the Ahmedbad-Mumbai Highway.”
According to Patel there is no shortage of any vegetable, including onions. The city APMC gets 332 quintals of onions from Maharashtra and 2,926 quintals from Saurashtra. This was regular supply when local onions hit the market, he said.
Ahmed Patel, a wholesale dealer, said that the prices have actually reduced in the APMC by 10-15%. He said that during a meeting, the dealers were told that the shift to Jetalsar was necessary to ensure safety and hence everybody agreed.
Another dealer, Rafiq Shaikh, said that the prices have reduced as there is adequate supply. On Wednesday, the Jetalsar wholesale market received 30,060 quintals of vegetables, which dealers said was more than enough to cater to the city’s needs. Shaikh said that the shift had helped dealers as they are now able to also serve retailers from nearby villages.
“Earlier, we had to travel 9km to get vegetables but now we have to commute nearly 30km to reach the new market,” said Ramesh Prajapati, a vegetable vendor who has a shop near Anandnagar. “This has increased the transportation cost fourfold. Moreover, now with the Walled City closed, we are forced to take a longer route.” According to Prajapati, the increase in transportation cost has increased the prices.
“Earlier, there were fluctuations in prices but since the lockdown, we have noticed that the prices are only increasing,” said Manisha Shah, a resident of Satellite. “We are sure that if the lockdown is extended, the prices will definitely cross Rs 100 per kg.”
A Satellite housing society chairman said, “The AMC has launched a service to deliver vegetables in bulk.” He went on to say: “But one has to take orders, collect money, and then distribute the vegetables. The process is cumbersome. Also, in my society, there was a major hue and cry over prices and weight.” The society discontinued the service.
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