In existence since the days of the Raj and long considered a model among markets in the State, the municipal market in this popular vacation destination has for sometime now been steadily going downhill.
Consequently the market located on 4.50 acres in the heart of the town is now one of the amenities which are doing more harm than good to the reputation of the hill station.
Though the factors contributing to this degeneration are many, solutions are conspicuous by their absence. However complaints from all the stakeholders are mounting.
Pointing out that shopping in the market used to be enjoyable until a few years ago, residents who have been depending on it for their daily requirements for long, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that due to various reasons, “we detest stepping into the market now”.
They lamented that congestion has become the order of the day and encroachments are hampering movement.
No facilities are being made for consumers and the management is turning a blind eye to the activities of encroachers.
Vans, jeeps, cars and two-wheelers are freely moving on the narrow paths meant for pedestrians.
Hence, “We now prefer buying vegetables from pavement hawkers outside the market, though we are against misuse of pedestrian walks.”
Meanwhile members of the Ooty Municipality Merchants Association lamented that though hundreds of commercial establishments functioned inside the market and thousands of people including a large number of tourists visited the place every day, the public conveniences were in an insanitary and deplorable state.
The number of water connections in the market was inadequate and streetlights were not serving their purpose.
SecurityThey claimed that even the security arrangements were not in tune with the requirements of the market which was large in size. The gates were also broken.
However municipal sources said that if all the stakeholders extended a helping hand, the market can be maintained properly.
Pointing out that there were about 1,350 commercial establishments in the market, they said that they generated a revenue of Rs. 1.6 crore a year.
Stating that there was a potential to triple the revenue, they regretted that many of the shopkeepers were paying a pittance by way of rent.
Over 150 shops still paid Rs. 15 or 16 per day as rent. Over 60 shops paid only Rs. 120 to 130 per day.
To a question, they said that the government’s policy now is to insist on payment of rent in accordance with the market rates or go in for auction.
Despite repeated warnings, traders caused inconvenience to the shoppers by encroaching on public space.
They regretted that public conveniences were being misused. However the public conveniences and the gates would be repaired soon.
