JAMMU: A delegation of the Traders Federation Ware House Nehru Market (Regd.), Jammu, on Monday met Jammu Development Authority (JDA) Vice Chairman Rupesh Kumar and submitted a memorandum seeking resolution of a range of long-pending issues affecting the city’s largest wholesale grain market.
Federation President Deepak Gupta, accompanied by Senior Vice President Dheeraj Gupta, apprised the JDA Vice Chairman of the difficulties being faced by traders operating from the Ware House-Nehru Market, one of Jammu’s oldest wholesale markets, established in 1956.
The delegation primarily sought ownership rights for existing shopkeepers and additional land for construction of godowns. Gupta said the market was facing severe congestion as business activity and the number of establishments had increased over the decades, while traders continued to struggle with inadequate storage space.
He said the emergence of large retail and wholesale chains such as Flipkart Wholesale and Reliance Smart Bazaar had intensified competition for small traders. According to Gupta, traders in Ware House-Nehru Market were finding it increasingly difficult to compete due to limited storage facilities and urged the JDA to allot suitable nearby land for construction of godowns.
He said additional storage space would not only help traders manage their businesses but also protect essential food commodities from extreme heat and heavy rains. Gupta recalled that the JDA had previously proposed certain sites for the purpose, but the process could not be finalised, and urged the authority to expedite the matter.
The delegation also raised the issue of inadequate parking facilities in the wholesale market. Gupta said the existing JDA parking facility, with a capacity of around 100 vehicles, was insufficient given the volume of commercial activity and demanded that its capacity be increased to at least 200 cars.
He further sought a separate parking facility for trucks and other goods carriers, pointing out that suitable space was available along the Tawi riverbank which, he suggested, could be developed as a designated parking area for commercial vehicles.
Highlighting the poor condition of roads in and around the market, Gupta said the main road and several link roads had suffered extensive wear and tear due to heavy traffic. The blacktopping has eroded at several places, leaving potholes and dusty stretches that were causing inconvenience to traders and visitors.
The traders also sought improvement in the market’s lighting infrastructure. Gupta said several existing streetlights were damaged and non-functional, leaving parts of the wholesale market poorly lit. He demanded installation of at least five high-mast lights along with replacement of damaged streetlights.
The delegation also pressed for a proper drainage system in the mandi, saying improved drainage was essential to prevent waterlogging and protect commercial establishments and stored commodities during heavy rainfall.
Another major issue raised was the transfer of lease deeds in the names of legal heirs. Gupta said several original allottees had passed away over the past five decades, but the lease deeds of many properties were yet to be transferred to their wards. He urged the JDA to facilitate the transfers by charging the minimum possible premium.
The traders appealed to the JDA Vice Chairman to take up the issues on priority and initiate time-bound measures to address the long-standing problems of the Ware House-Nehru Market.
