May 22, Kathmandu- Despite the increase in corona infection, the crowd in Kalimati, the main wholesale market of Kathmandu, has not decreased.

The retail market in Kalimati has been closed for some time now to control the crowds. However, the crowd has not diminished. The Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee have been challenged to control the crowd in the vegetable market. The committee has started daily discussions to control the crowds in the market. Binay Shrestha, information officer of the committee, informed that discussions are underway to implement the system in the market by force.

According to him, a meeting of the committee is being held today as well. The committee is ready to make a decision on the basis of the recommendation of the market management facilitation sub-committee formed for market management.

Challenges in decision implementation

The Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Development Committee decided to ban two-wheelers from entering the market to reduce congestion. However, that decision could not be implemented. Even if this rule is implemented for one or two days, it is not practical and two-wheelers have been allowed to enter the market.

"When we did not allow them to enter the market, those who went to buy vegetables on motorcycles and bicycles stopped outside the market, which caused more problems. We did not insist on implementing that decision," said Shrestha. He said that the pressure has also increased as Kathmandu is a big market. With the opening of the market, the pressure of four-wheelers has been increasing and then there has been a rush of people buying vegetables in two-wheelers. The Kalimati wholesale market, which is open from 1 pm, closes after 10 am.

Negligence in adhering to health standards in the market

The risk is further exacerbated by the lack of adherence to health standards in the market. Despite the daily miking in compliance with the standards, there has been negligence due to lack of monitoring. Information Officer Shrestha says that the challenge is increasing when the person himself is not aware. "We've been miking every day to follow health standards, but the effectiveness has been low when the person himself is not conscious," said Shrestha. According to him, even though the wholesale traders wear masks, they do not pay attention to their proper use.

As the number of people going to the market increases due to short-term gains, the possibility of spreading corona infection has increased. Twelve people working close to a trader in the Kalimati market were found to be infected with the coronavirus. At present, they are not allowed to come to the market. The committee has stated that those close to them should also be tested. The committee has stated that the wholesale market cannot be closed as vegetables and fruits are essential.

After a few days, the price of cheap vegetables went up again

Even though the price of green vegetables has come down in the Kathmandu Valley after the ban, now it has started rising again. At present, 500 to 600 metric tonnes of vegetables enter the market daily. The committee has stated that almost all the vegetables entering the market are traded.

According to the committee, the price has gone up as compared to a few days ago due to both demand and import of vegetables. The committee has also stated that the possibility of price rise is less now as vegetables are being imported.