NGO seeks shifting of Bhagtanwala grain market to villages on outskirts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

A local NGO, Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), has urged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to split Bhagtanwala grain market and shift it to villages around the city. The NGO claims that it would help in reducing air pollution in the city.

Members of the AVM said during harvesting season hundreds of tractor-trailers come to the grain market leading to air pollution in the area. Besides, it led to severe traffic problems.

Further, sifting of grains in the market also added to the pollution, they said. They added that as the grain market was just over a kilometre away from the Golden Temple the air pollution was disfiguring gold plates, marble and invaluable frescoes at the holy shrine.

NGO president Kulwant Singh Ankhi said the massive air pollution was leading to health, especially respiratory problems among residents of the walled city. He said the grain market was located adjoining the Bhagtanwala garbage dump where the state government and the local bodies authorities were going to set an solid waste management plant. It could contaminate grains in the market, he added.

Suggesting a solution, Ankhi said the government could split the Bhagtanwala grain market and shift it to smaller markets at Manawala on GT Road, Vallah on Mehta Road, Khasa on Attari Road, Bohru on Khemkaran Road, Rajasansi of Ajnala Road, Bal Kalan on Majitha Road, Sohian Kalan village on Fatehgarh Churian Road, Jethuwal village on Batala Road or their adjoining areas.

This could not only help in reducing the air pollution in the holy city, but also benefit farmers, who had to travel long distance to reach Bhagtanwala grain market, added Ankhi.