Traders approach administration for ‘night markets’ in Ludhiana

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 8

Textile, hosiery and garment manufacturers and traders in the mixed land use areas of the city and businessmen in wholesale markets have requested the district administration to let them open their establishments.

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Worried over the continuous losses and no footfall of buyers, traders and manufacturers said after about two months, customers had started enquiring about stocks. It would be appropriate if they were allowed manufacturing during night hours and even markets remained open in the night only, they added.

Talking to The Tribune, Tarun Jain Bawa said, “If we are allowed to open at night, proper social distance can be maintained.”

“In the morning hours, we will again witness huge rush of commuters. Traders are getting orders as buyers are in touch with them asking for products. Lockdown is not solution to the problem,” he added. “Traders in areas like Dal Bazaar, Wait Ganj, Hajuri Road, Chawal Bazaar, Gandhi Nagar, Manna Singh Nagar, Sunder Nagar, Madhopuri, Mochpura, Bagh Kjanjia, Bajwa Nagar, AC Market, Akalgarh Market and other places are maintaining that customers are eager to visit to lift stocks and place orders,” he said.

“Since everything is shut, we could do nothing. Customers should be allowed to lift stocks during night hours and we all are ready for it,” he added.

Naveen, one of the shopkeepers in Gandhi Nagar area said, “Shops are shut since March 23. The circumstances were such that we did not have time to dispatch stocks. For almost one-and-a-half month, there was no activity of traders and buyers as everyone was trying to understand what Covid-19 virus was.”

“Now, customers have started contacting us. They want to visit markets for buying stocks. The administration should allow us to start our operations so that we do not face further losses,” he added.

“The government can set guidelines. All will adhere to norms. If night markets are allowed, there will be no rush on roads during the day time,” said traders.

Traders are keen on selling their summer products at the fag end of the season otherwise their goods will be stuck. If they are to be believed stocks worth Rs 10,000 crore are lying with them.