Kalimpong markets hit after crackdown on overloading

SNS, Kalimpong,1 Feb 2017: The recent crackdown on the overloading of goods vehicles has hit the market. Though today was a market day in Kalimpong, the Haat Bazaar located at Relli road was almost empty or was filled with last week's vegetables.

A vegetable vendor, Satish Prasad said 'about 20 vehicles bring vegetable for the market at Falakata, Oodlabari and Siliguri. But the recent decrease in the load carried by vehicles have affected the market price."

He said that they welcome the decision of the association but the problem lies elsewhere. 'We cannot bring it down to the exact weight which differs in some of the sacks. If we bring an extra 50 kg we have to pay a fine. This is the point where we are not satisfied," added the vendor. Laxmi Sharma, a house wife who came to the market was shocked to see last week's vegetables which the vendors were selling .

According to the vendors, prices of vegetables are sure to increase and it will see a surge during the summer months.

Earlier a pick-up van used to bring about three tonnes of load and mazda vehicles used to bring eight tonnes which have been reduced to two and five tonnes respectively.

When asked, Milap Chhetri, secretary of Kalimpong truck driver welfare association said they will sit down together to discuss the problem.