River banks submerged, many vendors displaced

NASHIK: The flooding of the river banks following the day-long rainfall on Monday has left vendors stranded. They had no choice but to move upwards and were unable to carry on their business on Monday and Tuesday. The weekly Wednesday market is also not likely to be conducted due to the inundation.
Until last week, around 100 vegetable stalls along the banks of the Godavari had been submerged.With Monday's heavy rainfall, almost all the stalls were inundated.
The displaced vendors have expressed concern as the rising water levels may not permit them to have their weekly market on Wednesday.
"Every day we sell vegetables worth at least Rs 500 and during the weekly Wednesday market we make over Rs 1,000. But for the past few days we have been doing very little business and we doubt if we can set up our stalls on Wednesday if it rains," said Anil Dhatrak, a vegetable vendor on the banks of the river.
Another vendor, Ashok Tandale, who conducted business in the parking outside the 122-year-old market on the banks of the river till Sunday, said, "Since Monday, I don't have place to even sit in the parking. If the rains continue, I don't think we will be having the regular Wednesday market."
Around 1,500 vendors who earn their living through the market selling vegetables, fruits, grocery and other household materials refuse to shift to the market at Ganeshwadi that was constructed in 2010 by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) by evicting slum dwellers.
Even though they have not been doing any business since Monday, the vendors are adamant on shifting to the new premises. The NMC, in the meanwhile, has equipped itself to handle any likely disaster.
"Continuous patrolling and announcements are being made for those living by the river banks but there is no danger as such till now," said fire and disaster chief Anil Mahajan.