Nagpur: By day, Itwari’s Sarafa Bazaar handles gold, silver and valuables worth crores. After shutters are down, parts of the same narrow commercial pocket transform into a bustling food hub. But the crowds, roadside stalls, haphazard parking and garbage accompanying this night-time transformation have now triggered security concerns among bullion traders, who want authorities to act against the unregulated activity around the market.Nagpur Sarafa Association members say food stalls and their customers occupy footpaths and portions of roads, vehicles choke already narrow lanes, and waste is often left behind for shopkeepers. For a market dealing in high-value merchandise, traders say the food stalls operating late in the night pose a security threat.“We are not against people coming to Sarafa or enjoying food here. But this is a sensitive bullion market, and the activity cannot remain unregulated. Roads and footpaths get occupied, traffic becomes difficult to manage, and garbage. The most pressing issue is about security. We have repeatedly requested the authorities to regulate the area and keep encroachments away from shops,” Nagpur Sarafa Association president Rajesh Rokde said.For residents of Mahal, Itwari and surrounding old-city localities, the food stretch has emerged as one of the few nearby options to step out with family and friends. “There aren’t many such eating spots on this side of the city. Sarafa Market gives a nice option close to home. The concerns of traders should be addressed. But the concept is good. Administration should regulate the Khau Galli,” said Karan Mishra, a resident of Mahal.The obvious comparison is Indore’s Sarafa Galli, where the jewellery market famously gives way to a food bazaar at night. Unlike an informal spillover, the night market in Indore has evolved around a defined system, with the area cleaned after food operations wind down late in the night. For Nagpur, a similar model should be developed in Nagpur with clearly demarcated vending spaces, fixed timings, parking management, security and cleaning arrangements, residents say.
