Space constraints and lack of facilities have left traders and exhibitors disappointed at 38th India International Trade Fair (IITF).
The Trade Fair this time has been reduced to mere 20-25 per cent of its size due to the implementation of the IECC (Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Center) project at Pragati Maidan.
As per some traders, they are even struggling to avail proper food and water facilities.
UK Mishra, who has set up a stall for Lucknow's famous Chikankari kurta said, "We can manage in this little space but how can we live without water? There are hardly one or two water filters in the whole hall. Just imagine 800 stalls and only one or two water filters."
According to Mishra, the traders are not being allowed inside the fair without a ticket.
"And to get entry, every day we have to buy a ticket. We did not even get an entry card. We have just one entry card and we are two people who manage this stall. My brother has to buy a ticket of Rs 500 every day. Organisers should look after this and provide concessions to the exhibitors," he added.
Similarly, Chhattisgarh-based Kanhaiya Lal Dewangan is facing difficulties due to space crunch.
"Earlier I used to get a large stall but this time due to the ongoing construction work, I had to settle with a smaller one. I'm not even able to unfold the saris and display them to customers properly. It gets difficult to handle even one customer at a time now," he said.