The long-lasting e book market in Sector 15, house to over two dozen booksellers, is grappling with poor infrastructure and dwindling income, with authorities paying no heed to shopkeepers’ continued issues.
Regardless of repeated appeals and restricted enhancements over time, the essential infrastructure of the market stays grossly insufficient for sellers who’ve been catering to the town’s tutorial wants for many years. (Ravi Kumar/HT)
Established between 1972 and 1975 close to Panjab College’s (PU) gate quantity 2, the market was relocated to Sector 15 in 2007, the place shopkeepers had been allotted solely raised platforms as a substitute of correct industrial retailers for operations. Regardless of repeated appeals and restricted enhancements over time, such because the set up of shutters in 2016, the essential infrastructure of the market stays grossly insufficient for sellers who’ve been catering to the town’s tutorial wants for many years.
Shopkeepers say the situations below which they function are more and more unsustainable. Probably the most urgent considerations is the fibreglass roofing put in above the stalls. Throughout peak summer season months, these sheets entice insufferable warmth. Within the monsoon season, the issue reverses—leaky roofs enable rainwater to seep in, which ruins the valuable e book shares.
Javed Ali Khan, the proprietor of Wonderful E-book Store and one of many oldest distributors out there, factors out, “The fibreglass roofs trap immense heat in summers but let rainwater enter into the stalls during monsoons. We’re selling books, and even a small leak can ruin our stock.”
Vicky Kanoja, the proprietor of Metropolis Outdated E-book Centre, stated, “The infrastructure could cause a serious termite problem in some stalls due to the lack of ventilation. It affects books, furniture—everything. Earlier, a book edition would last for years. Now, we’re forced to update the inventory every academic session. It adds pressure and increases losses if the demand fluctuates.”
President of the market affiliation, Suresh Kumar, alias Sonu, stated the makeshift platforms are unhealthy for enterprise. “These platforms were never designed with long-term sustainability in mind. With evolving needs, there must be an upgrade that matches the importance this market holds for students,” he stated.
The financial pressure has deepened in recent times with the rise of digital studying platforms. As extra college students flip to on-line sources, footfall out there has lowered, and most sellers now report engaged on slim revenue margins—typically simply round 20%, which can also be not regular year-round. Earnings peaks solely throughout college admissions and examination seasons, whereas the remainder of the 12 months stays sluggish, the shopkeepers added.
To outlive these challenges, many sellers have requested the issuance of basic commerce permits, which might enable them to develop their enterprise into stationery or different instructional provides. “We want to stay true to books, but we also need to support our families. Right now, we don’t have the flexibility to adapt,” stated Kumar.
Space councillor Saurabh Joshi, who has lengthy advocated for the market’s enchancment, echoed the sellers’ considerations. “The real situation of these shopkeepers needs to be acknowledged. They are part of the city’s academic backbone. The administration must take note and extend support where it’s due,” Joshi added.