After a long pause, the Corporation of Madurai is once again preparing to shift the fruit and fish markets and a lorry shed outside the city to provide more lung space, besides carriage space for motorists.
Three years ago, the flower market was shifted out, followed by the wholesale paddy and vegetable markets which were all operating very near the Meenakshi temple.
Now, the fruit market is all set to move out of Yanaikal-Simakkal area to Mattuthavani, where buildings have been constructed at ₹12 crore. Not just that. A big fish market at ₹3 crore is planned near Virattipathu with financial support from the Government of India. And, lastly, lorries coming to the city shall be parked near Kochadai, where a big space is being readied at around ₹2.70 crore with amenities like rest room and restaurants for drivers/conductors.
Presently, the fruit market (wholesale and retail vendors) has its business along Vakkil New Street, East Masi Street and parts of Yanaikkal, very close to the Meenakshi temple, which is being given a facelift under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
All the 240 outlets have been built on a sprawling 4.86 acre land near Mattuthavani integrated bus stand. The building has been raised with a contribution of ₹12 crore from the fruit vendors associations.
The Corporation had planned to get the infrastructure done at ₹3 crore, which included construction of a compound wall, UGD system and water facilities, said Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri.
Almost 80% of the work is over. When the market becomes operational, not only the city would be decongested in select areas, but the Corporation would also start getting revenue of ₹3 crore every year. A fruit vendor, Ganesan, on Vakkil New Street said that they would be too glad to move out of the city to Mattuthavani. “Only the Corporation is delaying the shifting. If they hand over the keys today, we will start operations there from tomorrow” was his reply.
Under the Government of India project, the Corporation had planned to construct a fish market near Virattipathu at ₹3 crore, with funds (₹1.50 crore) coming in from National Fisheries Development Corporation, grant of ₹1.20 crore from Tamil Nadu government and ₹30 lakh from TUFIDCO as loan. Corporation officials said that with Madurai entering the top 100 list in Swachh Survekshan ranking, the Centre was giving funds with a commitment from the local body to take up works that would help the city remain clean. Only when the users cooperated, the projects would become a success. In some cases, “business model” had to be adopted. Thus, for using a facility, the users had to pay a sum for the upkeep of the infrastructure, they said. The Swachh Bharat initiative provided funds for building infrastructure. Thus, for the maintenance of these facilities, the users had to contribute to the local body, they added.
When asked about the plan to shift the onion market from East Marret Street, Mr. Nanduri said that talks were on with the association office-bearers and a plan would be drawn up soon. A senior police officer said that with 13 major intersections and over a million vehicles using the roads within the city and on the peripheries, shifting of markets would be a relief to motorists.
The number of accidents, which were reported due to the collision between two-wheelers and trucks/tempos, too might fall, the officer opined.
