Jamshedpur’s Parsudih Mandi lacks basic facilities, canteen shut for six months

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: Kolhan’s largest agricultural market, the Krishi Utpadan Bazar Samiti in Parsudih Khasmahal, witnesses daily business worth crores of rupees. However, the mandi is grappling with severe infrastructural deficiencies, causing significant hardships for over 200 labourers and traders working there.

The mandi’s canteen, a crucial facility, has been closed for the past six months. Without alternative arrangements, workers are forced to leave the premises in search of food and water. This situation has drawn criticism from labourers and truck drivers, many of whom depend on the mandi for daily sustenance during long work hours.

“The canteen is closed, and the toilet facilities are in terrible condition. There’s no proper drinking water, forcing us to rely on the Radha Krishna Shiv Mandir tap within the market premises,” said Arjun Lohar, a labourer.

The mandi’s toilet facilities are in disrepair, with broken water taps and a lack of maintenance rendering them almost unusable. Many truck drivers and labourers have no choice but to defecate in the open, highlighting the mandi’s poor sanitation management.

Jeetendra Sao, another labourer, expressed frustration: “We have been working here for years, but the administration is indifferent. Trucks from other states arrive daily, yet there are no food and water facilities for drivers and labourers. We have to leave the market premises to eat.”

When approached, Abhishek Anand, Marketing Secretary of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, acknowledged the issues and assured corrective measures. “We’ve received complaints about the canteen closure. A notice has been issued to the operator, instructing them to reopen the canteen. If they fail to comply, the allotment will be cancelled,” he stated.

Despite such assurances, the lack of immediate action continues to impact the mandi’s daily operations. Workers and traders urge the market committee to address these issues promptly to improve working conditions and ensure basic facilities.