Open House: What measures are needed to make the Sector-26 mandi clean and smart?

Collective efforts the only solution

The mandi in Sector 26 holds the potential to become a model market, but it needs collective will from residents, authorities and vendors. Only licensed vendors should operate within their allotted spaces. Fruit and vegetable waste must be collected at designated points and lifted daily. Sanitary inspectors must ensure strict cleanliness, and penalties should be imposed. The internal roads of the mandi must be properly carpeted, and entry of heavy vehicles and private cars should be restricted to avoid congestion.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Implement proper waste segregation

Definitely a multidimensional and multi-pronged approach is needed to handle the situation efficiently. We need to induct correct and specific implementation of waste segregation, collection and disposal system. Good investment is needed in modern waste processing or re-cycling concept. Imposing a strict penalty on violators transparently and timely enforcement action is needed alongwith accountability on illegal encroachments.

SK Gautam, Chandigarh

Cleanliness is a joint responsibility

By taking a firm and multifaceted stand, the administration can solve the problem being. The citizens indeed deserve a cleaner, greener and a better place to live where there are no garbage heaps, clean drains and a livable environment. The responsibility, however, has to be shared. As an aware citizen, it becomes prime responsibility of each one of us to keep our city and markets clean. Strong rules and regulations can help keep everything in order but the residents also need to step up.

Garv Bhupesh Verma, Panchkula

Shift fruit and vegetable market

The city's population has increased manifold over the years. Besides, Mohali and Panchkula have also added to the load of the Sector 26 fruit and vegetable market. It is high time that the mandi is shifted to the outskirts. This will also help in traffic management of the city beautiful will also reduce civic and sanitation problems. CCTV cameras should also be installed at vulnerable points to ensure garbage heaps are removed by the emergency team of municipal corporations followed by sanitation devices to ensure open areas are kept neat and clean.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

MC officials need to step up

The problem being multifaceted requires input from all the stakeholders. Municipal Corporation engineers, health officers concerned with sanitation, market committee functionaries, wholesale traders operating from showrooms, rehriwalas and squatters operating from open spaces and above all the sanitation workers are the ones who can give real and workable solution to the problem. Any stereotyped solution imposed from above is bound to fail.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Smart surveillance can deter littering

The worsening condition of the Sector 26 fruit and vegetable market is both unfortunate and unacceptable. To restore its utility and reputation, a multi-directional approach is needed. Regular and systematic garbage collection, proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, and installation of dustbins at strategic points must be implemented. Encroachments should be removed, and vending zones clearly marked. Authorities must also consider digital solutions like smart surveillance for crowd and waste management.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Civic sense needs to prevail

There is no lack of resources, infrastructure or the facilities in our country. The only and the major thing lacking among all the people here is the civic sense. Instead of teaching them how to read and write, the first basic thing is to teach them the basic civic sense, of keeping the personal hygiene, cleanliness and surroundings in proper order. The administration and municipal corporation can help maintain what is already streamlined. Waste and rotten vegetables can go to animal sheds or compost pits.

Anju Mohan, Panchkula

Collect waste from individual stalls

A multifaceted approach is needed to clean the mandi, which requires implementing a segregation system for wet and dry waste at the source from individual stalls and investing in modern waste processing facilities to handle the volume of waste efficiently. Regular pest control to prevent infestations, fencing boundaries to prevent entry of wild animals and pets, providing a designated area with potable water for washing fruits and vegetables is also key. Conducting regular awareness campaigns to educate vendors and the public about such cleanliness and hygiene practices can also go a long way.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Strict monitoring is required

Sector 26's once-bustling fruit and vegetable market now paints a picture of civic neglect. Overflowing garbage, waterlogged roads and unchecked encroachments not only inconvenience visitors but also raise serious concerns about hygiene and public safety. To reclaim its charm and function, swift and structured action is essential. Regular garbage collection, more strategically placed waste bins, and proper drainage maintenance must be ensured. Strict monitoring through CCTV cameras, deploying sufficient sanitation staff are other steps that can be undertaken.

Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi

Make the best of modern technology

Managing urban waste has become a major challenge in growing cities. Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in garbage monitoring offers a smart and sustainable solution. IoT sensors placed in bins can detect fill levels and send real-time data to central systems, enabling optimized garbage collection routes. This prevents overflowing bins and reduces fuel consumption. AI algorithms can analyse waste patterns, predict peak collection times, and even sort waste more efficiently in smart bins and municipalities can use the date to make data-driven decisions and plan resources accordingly.

Jeevan Jyoti

Prepare daily cleaning Schedule

Of late the grain, fruit and vegetable market of sector 26, Chandigarh has become infamous for its neglect, stinking garbage heaps, waterlogged passages, slush etc., raising health issues. All of this goes to prevent the visitors to visit the market. The civic body should arrange cleansing of the market between 11 pm and 12 am or in the early hours of the day. Separate big dustbins should also be put up for dry and wet garbage at important points.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Lane system should be followed

The vendors and customers ought to inculcate a sense of hygiene by avoiding littering and putting the waste into dustbins. The civic body should make lanes in mandi and put dustbins. There should be proper space to avoid congestion. The residents should park vehicles in the allotted parking space instead of haphazard parking. The mandi needs to be renovated to avoid water logging. A license should be issued to vendors to avoid encroachment. The deployment of police cops can be helpful. Booking the entry of customers at specified lots via the app can reduce chaos.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Blame game has to end

Despite the tall claims of the Municipal Corporation (MC) the sanitation conditions remained poor. Over the years, the market has lacked proper planning. Departments are passing on their responsibility on others. No measures can work amid disputes and a lack of clarity among the MC and the marketing committee. There is a need to establish responsibility on who is responsible for the upkeep. The MC said the area does not fall under its jurisdictions while market committee officials also remain unclear. Before all else, responsibility needs to be fixed.

BS Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Impose weekly bans on violating vendors

The vendors and their customers seem to struggle with a cultural issue, habitually throwing waste on the ground. If the authorities truly want to restore order and meet their administrative goals, it can be achieved within a single day. Simply segregate the violators for one week. When they lose their earnings, the lesson in discretion and manners will follow swiftly and naturally.

Narinder Banwait, Chandigarh

promote hygienic practices at market

The administration must raise key market areas to prevent water stagnation. Besides, providing weather-proof sheds to produce and shoppers and proper lighting are required. Install colour coded bins for organic recyclable and non recyclable waste at every few meters. Hygiene awareness drives and training's for vendors on waste segregation is another must. Regular checks are needed to deter illegal occupation and promoting a healthier environment for both traders and consumers.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Improve coordination with market committee

Sanitation and civic management at the Sector-26 mandi are poor. Coordination and cooperation must be created between the market committee and shopkeepers to improve cleanliness. More toilets should be constructed at approachable distances. More large size dustbins should be arranged at each and every needy spot. Corridors and illegal encroachments must be vacated. It is high time that the authorities undertake strict action to maintain hygiene status.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Need to redesign market layout

As an architect and ekistician, I think the market has a design defect. The mandi requires an ecosystem that has been rethought. Cluttered, unsanitary sprawl can be replaced with modular stalls, smart waste segregation zones, and porous paving for natural drainage. The area can be made both practical and hospitable with covered walkways, solar lighting, and biophilic features. Sitting areas and public restrooms must be included, not added on as an afterthought. We need civic imagination, where architecture meets empathy and planning meets participation.

Shubham Kathpalia

Deploy dedicated cleaning team

The Sector 26 grain market had been neglected by the administration. The market committee needs to join hands with the Administration. Every shopkeeper should deploy a staff member to clean their nearby shops. The administration should install more garbage bins in the Mandi. There should be a dedicated garbage collection team which works in shifts. The cost can be shared by the market committee and administration. The administration can also set up a bio-gas plant which can be further handed over to the market committee.

Sunny Dhaliwal, Chandigarh

Use ID cards to deter illegal vendors

The market committee can issue identity cards to the registered vendors to use an earmarked site within the market. This way the non registered vendors can be stopped from accessing the limited market space. The enforcement wing of the market committee can work in this regard. Have proper waste disposal bins installed across the market. The vendors should be educated about the proper disposal of the waste they add to the marketplace.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Strict enforcement need of the hour

To transform the Sector 26 fruit and vegetable market into a clean and smart mandi, urgent measures are essential. Implement a robust waste management system with daily garbage collection, segregated bins, and composting units for organic waste. Enforce strict anti-encroachment drives to clear illegal structures, ensuring unobstructed pathways.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Drainage overhaul is pertinent

A comprehensive drainage overhaul is needed to prevent waterlogging; this includes regular desilting of existing drains and potentially installing new ones with proper gradients. Strict enforcement against illegal encroachments is vital, involving immediate removal and penalties to ensure clear pathways and space for vendors and customers. Finally, regular civic inspections will sustain these improvements.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Resolve market's parking woes

The authorities must ensure proper facilities at the mandi for disposal of garbage accumulated every day. Moreover, strict action needs to be taken against vendors using single-use plastic bags and customers need to be encouraged to carry their own jute or cloth bags. It is also necessary to declutter the market by resolving parking woes for better sanitation.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh