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Take care when you next go to the fair
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Story and pix by Shelton Hettiarachchi
The Saturday fair located along the Nuwara Eliya-Udupussellawa main road in Kandapola faces a serious problem: on-coming traffic.
The Kandapola Saturday fair sited at the narrow end of the Nuwara Eliya-Udupussellawa Main Road today pose a risk to life and limb
The 20-year-old fair which has long met the needs of the locals is now a death trap in waiting with many road-side accidents occurring in the vicinity.
Kandapola town located 10 km from Nuwara Eliya is populated by cultivators and estate workers.
For over 20 years the Saturday fair has catered to the needs of the town’s people and it meets the needs of the local cultivators. Vendors from Udupussellawa, Walapane and Welimada come to this fair to earn a living by selling their vegetables.
Vendors from Udupussellawa, Walapane and Welimada earn a living selling their wares at the fair
It is situated at the narrow end of the Main Nuwara Eliya -Udupussellawa Road, the pictures tell the tale of the hazardous situation that exists due to the increasing vehicular traffic.
Area residents have written to the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat and the Divisional Secretary seeking a solution to the problem.
The issue has also been discussed at several Provincial Council sessions where it was pointed out that the Saturday Fair should be moved to a more safe and accessible location.
However up to date no decision has been taken and the locals continue to face the hardships caused by vehicular traffic.
 Pedestrians, shoppers and vehicular traffic alike are in danger as the market covers both sides of the road |
 Large containers also use the narrow stretch of road |