Multi-Million-Rupee Vegetable Market in Winder Remains Non-Operational Amid Allegations of Mismanagement

WINDER: A vegetable market constructed in Winder at a cost of millions of rupees during the previous government has yet to become operational, raising concerns over the waste of public funds and the failure to deliver benefits to local residents and small-scale vendors.

The project was originally launched to remove roadside encroachments, improve traffic flow, and provide vegetable, fruit, meat, and fish vendors with a proper marketplace. However, despite the significant investment, the market remains largely unused while vendors continue to operate on roadsides and footpaths under difficult conditions.

Residents say illegal encroachments across Winder continue to cause severe traffic congestion, while many of the market’s shops are reportedly being used as closed warehouses or rented out instead of serving their intended purpose.

According to local sources, questions were raised during the initial allocation of shops, with allegations that the allotment process was influenced by political favoritism and irregular balloting. It is alleged that several shops were allocated to individuals with no connection to the fruit, vegetable, meat, or fish trade, while genuine vendors were left without access to the facility.

Locals believe that if the market had been made functional, it could have significantly reduced encroachments, eased traffic congestion, and provided a cleaner and more organized business environment.

The project has reportedly suffered from poor administration, inadequate oversight, and prolonged delays, leaving the market building largely inactive and gradually falling into disrepair.

During a recent visit by the Secretary of the Local Government Department of Balochistan, the Winder Municipal Committee reportedly proposed that control of the vegetable market be transferred to the committee. The proposal suggested that shops be allocated transparently to deserving vendors and that rental income be used to improve municipal services, including sanitation, drainage, road maintenance, and other civic facilities.

Sources said the secretary responded positively and directed the relevant authorities to examine the proposal. However, the Hub District Council subsequently asserted its administrative authority over the market and initiated fresh correspondence, proposing a new balloting process for the reallocation of shops. The dispute between the two institutions has reportedly delayed the project’s activation once again.

According to sources, the Hub District Council also attempted to have the market sealed through the Assistant Commissioner of Winder, although the effort was unsuccessful. Allegations also persist that several shops remain under the control of individuals operating through unofficial arrangements.

Residents have expressed concern that no verified allotment list has been made public, leaving unanswered questions about how many shops have been allocated, to whom, and on what basis.

Business and community representatives have called for an impartial investigation into the project. They have urged the cancellation of any allegedly illegal or undeserved allotments and demanded that shops be allocated to genuine vegetable, fruit, meat, and fish vendors.

They further appealed to the Government of Balochistan, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, the Deputy Commissioner of Hub, and other relevant authorities to conduct a transparent inquiry and ensure that the publicly funded market is made fully operational in line with its original objectives.