Sunday market in Srinagar reopens after 8 months

Zargar Zahoor

Srinagar, October 18 : With COVID-19 SOP’S  in place the famous 3-km-long Sunday Market  reopened today after remaining closed for over eight months in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Maintaining social distancing, hundreds of vendors have put up their stalls in the weekly flea market from Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) to Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), including Lal Chowk,  the summer capital, Srinagar.

However, very few people have turned up to make purchases in the market, which during this time of the year in the past used to be abuzz with customers.

This market is a means of  bread and butter for many vendors, and an affordable market for those who come to this place for shopping in bulk.  The continuous closure of the famous market, which attracts customers from across Kashmir valley, since March this year, had badly affected  vendors, who claim that they have incurred losses to the tune of crores of rupees.

The stalls, which otherwise used to be places closely, were kept at a distance of six to seven feet from each other while an NGO, Global Youth Corps, was distributing masks in the market. The vendors have also put up banners at different places, asking customers to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

The vendors were seen jubilant and welcoming customers . One of the vendors while speaking  to Arising State said, ‘”this is a good gesture ,govt has finally allowed us to open our stalls ,and we are happy and thankful to the administration  ,a vendor expressed his gratitude.