GUWAHATI, Dec 11 � With most of the wholesale foodgrain markets being located on the SRBC Road, Chamber Road, TR Phukan Road, Hem Baruah Road, Lakhi Gali Road and MS Road of the Fancy Bazar area in the city, and with the trading community practically occupying all these busy public roads almost throughout the day, the access of the public to the roads stays severely curtailed.
It may be recalled that some time back the traders had entered into an agreement with the authorities concerned to shift their godowns to the city outskirts but it was not implemented, with the traders continuing with their activities as usual.
Taking serious note of the chaotic situation, Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) has urged the district administration to take effective action in getting the wholesale market shifted to city outskirts for enabling the citizens to have adequate access to the roads.
�All these roads are practically used for loading and unloading of goods-carrying vehicles by the most influential merchants of the city, which ultimately denies the citizens their right to use the roads. The situation is very much violative of the provisions of the fundamental rights of the citizens,� SGBG said in a statement.
Urging the State Government to take the matter seriously in the greater interest of the city�s all-round development, SGBG said that the district authority should be directed to initiate measures for immediate shifting of the wholesale markets from Fancy Bazar to any convenient area outside the city.
It also demanded action on the errant traders who failed to honour the agreement concerning shifting of the markets a few years back.
Pointing out that the traffic police personnel engaged in the area acted solely for the benefit of the trading community, SGBG said that such indulgence further helped the traders to continue with their illegal acts.
�The traders are also responsible for blocking the Brahmaputra riverside from Machkhowa to North Brook Gate. �Lots of vehicles are parked for the entire day along the stretch of the riverbank, which prevents the movement of the citizens on such a beautiful location,� it said.
