GUWAHATI: Business establishments operating around Urvashi Market in the bustling commercial hub of Fancy Bazar find themselves caught in a difficult bind. More than 100 shopkeepers in the area are struggling to manage a persistent rat infestation, even as they face regular penal actions from municipal authorities over cleanliness standards.
The affected commercial zone houses some of the city's oldest businesses, ranging from traditional eateries and hotels to retail clothing outlets. According to the traders, keeping rodents out of their premises has turned into a major challenge. However, instead of receiving support, they report that Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) officials routinely visit the locality alongside police personnel to issue challans for alleged unhygienic conditions, reportedly without listening to the grievances of the business owners.
Shopkeepers argue that they are effectively blocked from resolving the root cause of the infestation. Any attempts to undertake necessary repair or renovation work to seal entry points for rodents are met with legal notices from the Waqf Board, which halts the construction due to an ongoing dispute regarding land ownership between the board and the local rent collector.
Traders have expressed deep frustration over the manner in which municipal teams conduct inspections and penalize them, noting that the situation damages their reputation as established business operators in the city.
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