‘What if heritage dies? Trade survives’

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.