DNA : what if heritage dies? trade survives : Sept 13, 2007
‘what if heritage dies? trade survives’
linah baliga
the controversial crawford market redevelopment proposal has brought a new
ray of hope in the lives of fruit and poultry vendors in the market, who
fall under the non-heritage and the wholesale section of the market. while
ncp corporators are crying hoarse and criticising the bmc’s decision on
private redevelopment, poultry and fruit vendors in the market are pleased
with the recent move.
“we are happy with the proposal as the condition of the market is bad. bmc
had not done any good for the licensees. if we look at the bmc’s
track-record, it had failed miserably in case of dadar market,” said dwarka
sainani, president mj phule mandai fruitwallahs association. at present,
there are 750 licensees who sell flowers, poultry, beef, mutton, fish and
fresh fruits in the market under a shed behind the heritage section.
sainani, a licensee fruit vendor, said the additional space on the
first-floor would help him venture into other businesses. “we were uncertain
about continuing with our business and didn’t want to bring our children
into it. but now, we are planning to diversify into other businesses, once
the redevelopment is done.”
maqsood momin, general secretary of the crawford market merchants’
association, said, “we will get 75 per cent extra space on the first-floor
and we are thinking of selling imitation jewellery and other things,” said
momin.
vendors believe that a centrally air-conditioned market with escalators will
imporve the ambience and in turn attract more customers. “this will be good
for our business. our goods won’t get stolen and there will be no rodents,
either,” momin said.n a graphic impression of the proposed redevelopment of
the crawford market, with two buildings, one seven-storey and the other
eight-storey, behind the heritage structure of the market -graphics shailesh
warang
Publication : DNA; Section : mumbai; Pg : 7; Date : 13/9/07
URL :
http://digital.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?edorsup=Main&queryed=9&querypage=7&boxid=30907670&parentid=47992&eddate=09/13/2007