Srinagar, Oct 30: Ahead of the winter, the famous ‘Sunday Market’ in Srinagar today witnessed an unprecedented rush of customers for woollen garments, blankets, heavy curtains and other winter-wears.
The market, one of the major attractions in uptown Srinagar city, stretches from Radio Kashmir Srinagar alongside Residency Road to Zero Tourist Taxi Stand Lal Chowk where more than thousand vendors set their makeshift stalls.
As per the president of Poloview stretch of the market Showkat Ahmad, there is almost a monthly turnover of Rs 20 corers being generated by the market.
Customers in large numbers could be seen haggling with the pavement sellers for woollens and other winter clothes. “I have done business of almost two thousand rupees in just three hours,” said a vendor Ghulam Mohammad of Gojwara Srinagar.
He added that there is huge demand for goods like jerseys, winter-wears, woollens, blankets, heavy curtains, socks, electric blankets, coats, over-coats, quilts, etc these days since the temperature has already dipped significantly.
 “The atmosphere is already cool and winter is not far, so I thought of purchasing warm clothes for my children,” Said Tariq Ahmad of Kangan, Ganderbal.
A considerable number of non-locals could also be seen in the market. “I served almost fifty non-locals since morning,” said Showkat Ahmad, a sweater seller, while negotiating with group non-locals over the rates.
Mohan Khatrey, a tourist from Mumbai said, “Since it is very cold here. I needed some warm clothes for a fortnight stay. So I thought it would be better to come as the clothes are available here at a cheaper rate.”
The experience of past few years’ harsh winters, the customers said, is forcing them to make arrangements in advance. “I want to take some good items that can prove handy in the Chilai- Kalan (harshest part of winter in Kashmir),” said Manzoor Ahmad of Sopore.
Apart from jerseys, winter-wears, woollens, blankets, heavy curtains, socks, electric blankets, over-coats, etc, large numbers of people were buying books.
“That book (C++ Programming) is available at Rs 500 in the local market, but here I am getting it at Rs 275 what if it is old,” said a girl, Mehnaza of Bemina while pointing towards the book.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST