JMC Launches Safety Clearance Drive at Parade Sabzi Mandi; Shopkeepers Raise Concerns Over Inadequate Notice and Financial Losses
JAMMU, AUGUST 09: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) launched a major safety and clearance drive today to remove unsafe and dilapidated shops at Parade Sabzi Mandi, paving the way for the immediate commencement of redevelopment works. However, the drive has drawn sharp criticism from shopkeepers who claim they were not given adequate time to retrieve stored vegetables and other perishable goods, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Official Safety Initiative
The initiative has been undertaken under the directions of JMC Commissioner Dr. Devansh Yadav, with the objective of effectively redeveloping the vegetable market, improving its infrastructure, and ensuring a safer and more organized environment for vendors, shoppers, and the general public.
The foundation stone for the redevelopment project was laid on June 22, 2026, by the MLA Jammu East in the presence of senior officials of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and the Jammu Municipal Corporation. Although active civil works were temporarily affected due to the ongoing monsoon season, the JMC accorded priority to the dismantling and removal of hazardous and structurally unsafe shops in the area.
The civic body justified the step as a precautionary measure to safeguard the lives and property of shopkeepers, visitors, and the general public, particularly in view of the risks posed by heavy rainfall and potential structural collapses.
Shopkeepers Protest Inadequate Notice
Despite the safety narrative, vegetable vendors and shop owners at Parade Sabzi Mandi have lodged formal complaints, alleging that the authorities provided them with minimal or no prior warning before the clearance operation commenced. Many claim they were unable to salvage vegetables and other goods stored inside their shops, resulting in significant financial losses.
Several shopkeepers reported that perishable goods including leafy vegetables, potatoes, onions, and other seasonal produce were destroyed when the shops were rapidly dismantled. Many vendors depend on daily turnover to support their families, and the sudden loss of stock has pushed several into financial distress.