Social distancing a casualty at Vallah market

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 5

The social distancing norm is a casualty at the wholesale vegetable market as there is shortage of space making it difficult for vendors and buyers to follow the norm.

Fruit and vegetables are allowed to be sold only in front of shops under six sheds. One is reserved for fruit and the remaining five for vegetables. While fresh farm produce is being sold on the open ground, retail sale is completely prohibited.

Mahesh Verma, a vegetable wholesaler, said the sale of vegetable and fruit at the restricted spots was causing overcrowding and congestion. He said the social distancing norm was not being followed due to limited space. The sale of fresh farm produce in front of shops smelt of some racket.

Kanwaljit Singh Pahwa, president of the Fruit and Vegetable Merchants’ Union, said the sale in the market had been streamlined and circles were painted to ensure social distancing.

He said there was no traffic jam of vehicles bringing fresh farm produce outside the mandi. Vacant space inside the market had been utilised even to park vehicles.