Consumers complaining about the congesting environment in the Koyambedu market complex may have better shopping experience soon. The Market Management Committee (MMC) has started its drive to remove unauthorised shops on the premises.
On Thursday, the authorities removed around 100 shops that proved hindrance to free flow of vehicle movement inside the market. It has been found that nearly 1,000 such shops have been functioning without licence in flower, fruits and vegetables market on the complex.
Many of them sold fruits and vegetables on roads or pavements, often making it difficult for consumers to even walk .
Officials of the MMC said that the shops in push carts and other makeshift facilities not only usurped the parking space but also added to unhygienic environment of the market. Besides dumping vegetable waste on the road, many shops also sold food items in an unclean atmosphere.
There are about 3,200 shops in the three markets that have been provided trade licence . “We have removed around 300 shops in the past few days. We will take stern action against all such unauthorised hawkers,” an official said. The market would be monitored to ensure that the illegal shops do not mushroom. The move would also allow better parking provisions on the premises.