IMPHAL, January 14: The government/PWD has initiated construction of a temporary market shed to accommodate the displaced Ima Market vendors, amidst opposition from the other shops in the area.
It may be mentioned that the January 4 earthquake which jolted the State had caused cracks at the Ima Keithel, following which the women vendors had voiced their demands to the Chief Minister and the Governor concerning the issue.
The government had assured actions for the compromised in quality in the construction of the market shed with even the Chief Secretary assuring that the Simplex Company which had constructed the market shed will be held responsible and made to either repair or rebuild the structure.
It may be mentioned that a team of experts from IIT Rourkee had also inspected the damages and termed the structure unsafe.
Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup (KNKSASKL) had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister requesting for a temporary market shed before the repair or rebuilding of the damaged structure.
Since, the earthquake, the Ima Keithel vendors had stopped vending inside the market sheds and had only on January 9 started vending by occupying the streets between the two Ima Market buildings.
“This space cannot accommodate all of the 1253 vendors of Ima market no. 3, hence more than half of the vendors are unable to earn their daily income which ought to be compensated by the government” said Shanti Devi, president KNKSASKL.
She added we are facing much inconvenience in the open streets in this winter chill and rain besides the congested space.
Business is slowing down and all the vendors are suffering. We are agreeable to any arrangement in the vicinity. The government has assured us that the temporary shed will be ready within 20 days, she continued.
The present construction of a temporary market along the market street in Thangal bazaar is bizarre in terms of both space sharing and rationality. The erstwhile Thangal bazaar street façade is now transformed to three rows of vending space which is 7 feet wide and 4 feet wide footpaths in between them.
The present work is being initiated by contractor Shanta Biren of Tabungkhok under the supervision of Uttam engineer PWD.