Flower sellers refuse to shift to Gomti Nagar

LUCKNOW: Flower sellers in Old City refused to shift to the newly constructed Kisan Mandi in Gomti Nagar, saying that moving from the traditional market in Chowk would affect their business adversely.

“Shifting would ruin our business and also increase the transportation cost that will further affect sales,” said Gulam Rasool, one of the oldest flower sellers at Kanchan market in Chowk area behind Bada Imambada.

The flower sellers said in 2000 they were shifted from the traditional nawabi-era flower market in Phool Wali Gali in Chowk area to the Kanchan market. “Our fathers and forefathers used to own a shop in Phool Wali Gali since the nawabi era. But after administration’s order in 2000, they shifted to the Kanchan Market that was just a few metres away from the Phool Wali Gali,” said Rasool.

But the district administration’s latest order, directing the flower sellers to shift to Kisan Mandi in Gomti Nagar raised many an eyebrow. “We are not against change. We are opposing this because we have solid reasons to do so. Shifting the market to Gomti Nagar would ruin our business,” said Mohammed Nadeem, another flower seller from the market.

“Shifting the flower market to Gomti Nagar, which is around 18km from Old City, is unfeasible. It will not only increase the transportation cost, but also lead to more difficulties for those engaged in the flower trade,” he added.

The current location of the flower market, he said, is quite favourable for all flower farmers, who generally come from Barabanki, Hardoi road, Mal, Malihabad, Kakori, Gosainganj and Sultanpur road to sell their produce.

According to some florists, administrative officials said that shifting the flower market to a posh area like Gomti Nagar would fetch them good prices for their flowers. “But the truth is that shifting won’t affect the pricing as our customers are not the ones living in posh areas. Our business largely depends on the marriage season and occasions like New Year and Valentine’s Day,” said another florist.

Lucknow’s only traditional flower market deals in Sunflower, Gladiola, Roses and Rajni Gandha that are dispatched across the country. Flower traders said the market is also famous for its gladiola flowers .

“Gladiola grown here are of the best quality. They have a shelf life of around 8 to 10 days whereas those grown in Delhi or Mumbai last 4 to 5 days,” said flower traders.