Hyderabad: Civic works slow pace hits businesses hard in Mirchowk

Mirchowk: The ongoing works of SW drain pipeline is affecting business in Mir-Alam-Mandi, the biggest vegetable and retail market in Old City, forcing shopkeepers to down shuttlers for most of the time during the day.

The works of pipeline on the major lane connecting main-road to Mir-Alam-Mandi, which houses scores of shops and forms an important pathway to the vegetable market, has prompted unofficial closure of route for shoppers, directly impacting their movement as also business on the stretch for the past one month.

According to locals, the works are going on in a snail's pace and only during night hours. "The pipeline works were sanctioned from main road opposite Mirchowk police station to market's entrance (Kaman). Since the works started, the entire road remained dugged-up and there is no place even to walk. This has badly affected the business", lamented, Amjeduddin, an owner of Kirana store.

Mir-Alam-Mandi is one of the biggest and oldest markets in City, where thousands of customers visit to purchase groceries and vegetables etc. "2-3 manholes are also kept open without any sign board, posing grave danger to shoppers. Besides affecting the business, the ongoing works here has only added to the risng dust and pollution. Since grocery items were getting spoiled, most of the shops were closed," said Shaik Khaja, a wholesaler.

On several occasions, Pathargatti Corporator Syed Sohail Quadri inspected the works and instructed the contractor to complete the works at earliest. "The works are going on only during night hours with minimum workers and during inspection Corporator also questioned him over the delay and instructed them to carry on their works even in day time by employing more people for task to ensure works are completed at the earliest," he added. When The Hans India contacted, the Corporator was not ready to explain the reasons behind the delay of the works.