For vendors who operate near the under-construction Kamarajapuram market in ward 70 in makeshift shelters, the wait for space allocation in the new building and its inauguration has been a long one.
“It is nearly two years since the corporation began renovation of the dilapidated market. We set up makeshift stalls near the market premises and have been operating from them,” said S. Chinna, a vegetable vendor. There are more than 70 vendors of vegetables, fruits and meat like him, who are waiting for allotment of shops.
Councillor K. Shanmugavalli said that work on the market was getting completed and it would be opened in two weeks.
“The market can accommodate more than 60 vendors and will be fully equipped with bathrooms and drinking water,” she said.
At present, the stalls are ready.
The vendors said that there were a few works pending with regard to sinking borewells and providing drinking water, following which, they hope, the market would be opened to them. “Though our business has not been greatly affected, the speedy reopening of the market will ensure more space for our customers and a systematic layout of shops,” said a fish seller.
Facilities satisfactory
A majority of residents opined that water availability and good roads had made it a preferred residential area for middle to low income groups. “Most of the streets have paver-block roads and the underground drainage is fully functional. We have not had any problems with regard to water stagnation,” said A. Maheshwari, a resident of North Street.
While drinking water is provided once in four days through corporation lorries, borewells connected to tanks have been installed in most of the areas. “We get saline water throughout the day from these tanks,” Ms. Maheshwari added.
Residents of NMR Road too said that the facilities were more than satisfactory. “I have been living here for the last 30 years and there has not been any major improvements lacking in the ward. A few dumper bins on the streets attracting mosquitoes has been our only grouse,” said A. Bhagavathy, a resident. “The corporation is prompt in clearing garbage piled on the roads daily and the councillor has been responsive,” she added.
Three-time councillor Ms. Shanmugavalli, who was recently elected chairperson of Zone 3, said that residents of a few streets had submitted requests for more borewells and proposals for them were getting ready.
“Replacement of a few borewells sunk more than a decade back will be undertaken shortly. In a phased manner, we have also sought to relay all the roads in the ward with paver block,” she said.
Stating that the ward was exclusively a residential one, Ms. Shanmugavalli further said that a kerosene bunk was recently opened here. “Residents had to travel over three km to get kerosene and hence we got the bunk shifted inside the ward for better access, ” she said.
The ward is a preferred residential area and we have worked over the years to provide good facilities and keep it infrastructurally sound.
K. Shanmugavalli,Councillor
The facilities here are more than satisfactory and residents have no problem with regard to water supply and roads.
A. Bhagavathy,Resident
