Incessant downpour in Amdavad brings the biz scene to a standstill

With waterlogging affecting road transport, all major retail markets remained closed on Thursday. Industry players said major industrial clusters of Naroda, Vatva, Odhav and Narol faced heavy absenteeism as workers were unable to reach their work places.

Gaurang Bhagat, president of Maskati Kapad Mahajan, confirmed that the entire garment market, comprising about 50,000 traders, remained closed on Thursday. Chinubhai Shah, president of Shree Choksi Mahajan, pointed out that apart from a few wholesale bullion traders who had to settle deals, jewelers in retail segment had their showrooms closed. “The business was already low because of GST. Now floods have aggravated the situation,” said Shah.

Most pharmaceutical units were severely affected due to absenteeism, said Viranchi Shah, chairman of Gujarat chapter of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA). While expressing concern for goods in godowns, Jaimin Vasa, president of Gujarat Chemical Association, said, “Goods in transit are also affected”.

Veg supply hit

Supply of vegetables in wholesale and retail markets in the city was hit on Thursday as incessant rains resulted in waterlogging and disruption of road network, said market players. While milk procurement by Amul has been hit because of floods in north Gujarat, the supply in Ahmedabad city has remained unaffected.

Ahmedabad APMC sources said that supply of vegetables on Thursday was about 45 per cent down. Retail vendors also stayed away from fresh buying.