Bhopal's Bittan market struggles with inflation and market chaos

As the clock strikes six in the evening, the thoroughfare leading from Bhopal's ISBT towards Bittan Market is bustling with activity, teeming with both two and four-wheelers. Individuals, weary from work, are making their way to Bittan Market's famed vegetable stands to procure fresh produce. Amidst this chaotic scene, we encounter Tabrez Khan, a fruit vendor, engaging in conversation while meticulously weighing pomegranates for an eager customer. With twenty years of fruit selling under his belt on this very spot, Tabrez is ready to detail his story riddled with challenges.

“The market has changed a lot in 20 years. People have also changed. Now people eat fast food more than fruits.”

How is the market operated?

This is essentially a communal space located at the heart of the city where vendors convene beneath the open sky. Unlike enclosed markets, it lacks government-provided amenities, offering no protection against precipitation or sunshine. The majority of traders, therefore, resort to covering their establishments with resilient foil tarpaulin at their own cost. Most vendors, especially those in Bittan Market, typically establish their setups by 2 p.m. The Municipal Council has not allocated specific spaces for anyone here. As Mohammad Shamshad Khan, a fruit seller, shared,

"The ones who have frequented here for years have secured their own spots."

There is a lack of facilities in the market

Addressing the insufficient amenities, Tabrez highlights the critical issue of inadequate toilet facilities. He points out, that people use public toilets, and they do not meet the needs of the bustling business crowd frequenting this market.

“There are only one or two toilets in the vicinity and everyone has to go there. They are also not kept clean properly.”

The water too isn't provided by the administration, claim the vendors in the market. Important to note, that this market was named after the wife of Congress leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Singh. This area comes under the South-West Assembly, and Congress has an MLA from here i.e. PC Sharma.

“There is no roof and no electricity”

Sonu, a local vegetable vendor, is struggling due to the lack of sturdy tin or plastic roofing for his shop. Every rainy season, the fragility of his foil tarpaulins becomes apparent as they easily get carried away by the wind. And, this leaves him and his goods completely exposed to the rain. In addition to this, most vendors in this Bhopal market utilize battery-operated light sources. There are a few streetlights installed in the market area. However, the limited number of battery-powered lights is insufficient for all the vegetable and fruit sellers. One trader expressed frustration over the persistent electricity issues they all face. He said the government is yet to install proper lighting, forcing them to rely on their own, inadequate light sources. Pointing to his tarpaulin and lamp, he laments,

“I have neither a proper roof nor adequate electricity."

Fruit sellers facing the brunt of inflation

Mohammad Shamshad Khan, a veteran fruit merchant in the market, has been procuring and selling fruits, particularly Custard apples, for the last 45 years. In his initial years, he occupied a more robust space where he maintained an expansive variety of fruits. However, now his business is confined to a small cart, mostly showcasing fruits that are in season. According to Khan, this change of scale is primarily due to inflation. He illustrates his point using the instance of a seasonal fruit, the custard apple.

"If this item of mine not sell today, I'll be compelled to reduce its price by half tomorrow. If there was managable inflation, I would maintain a variety of four fruits. Consequently, the loss from one could be offset by the profits of the others."

He informs Ground Report that a crate holds six large custard apples, each individually priced at Rs 25 based on the current rate. Given the delicate nature of these fruits, some inevitably split and incur damage.

Reason for inflation in the market

The majority of fruit vendors at Bittan Market acquire their produce from the Karond market. In response to queries about the high price of fruits, Tabrez explains, "We buy fruits at high costs, which necessitates selling them at higher prices." He further elucidates, "For instance, pomegranates are currently priced at Rs 200 per kilogram, up from our cost of Rs 150. Previously, we purchased it for Rs 100 and marked it up to Rs 150 for resale." According to Tabrez, the profit margin remains constant despite fluctuating fruit prices, meaning he doesn't profit from price increases. On a similar note, another vendor, Rahim, states that higher prices indeed lead to a decrease in customers, resulting in potential losses.

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