Uncertainty looms over shifting of flower market

NASHIK: Uncertainty looms over shifting the existing flower market at Saraf Bazaar to a new location in Panchavati, as the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has not yet taken a decision in this regard.
As per the demands of the flower vendors, the NMC has already provided amenities like toilets, drinking water and fencing at the new site, which is adjacent to the vegetable market near Ganeshwadi in Panchavati area.However, the vendors' association refused to shift to the new place seeking the NMC to put up sheds for all the vendors. Accordingly, the civic administration has already commenced work for putting up sheds through private contractor.
Altogether 40 flower vendors are to be accommodated at the new location. Even as the NMC has almost completed work on 20 sheds, the vendors have said that they will shift only after all the 40 sheds are ready.
Speaking to TOI, A P Wagh, divisional officer of Panchavati division of NMC, said, "We have already started constructing sheds at the new location. The work is nearing completion and the sheds will be ready shortly. Thereafter, our head office will decide when to shift the flower vendors from Saraf bazaar to the new location."
R M Bahiram, deputy commissioner (taxes), said, "We have still not received reports concerning construction of sheds from the public works department (PWD). We will take a call on shifting the existing market once we get the report from the PWD."
Krishnakumar Gaikwad, president of flower vendors' association, said, "We are ready to shift to the new place near Ganeshwadi, but only after the sheds are completed."
With an aim to ensure smooth traffic at Saraf Bazaar, the civic administration, following discussions with the flower vendors, had decided to shift the existing flower market to a new location on August 15 last year. However, the civic administration deferred its decision as it could not provide all the amenities in time.