While the Mattuthavani flower market attracts a number of flower sellers and residents from across the city and surrounding areas daily, vendors complain that facilities are inadequate.
“There are 104 shops in the market and, in addition, there are small vendors who are allowed to occupy the space in front of shops if the owners permit them. But there are many encroachments in front of the market by persons who have set up temporary shops that have made the place congested,” said S. Ramachandran, president of Mattuthavani Flower Market Vendors’ Association.
Share autos and private vehicles parked near the bus stop add to congestion.
S. Muniyandi, a flower vendor, said that toilets constructed a few years back were in disuse as there was no maintenance. “The women flower vendors, in particular, have no restrooms. There is no drinking water facility,” he said. Recounting a recent incident in which some tourists visiting the place, who wanted to make use of a toilet, were taken to soiled bathrooms, a vendor said they were appalled at their condition.
R. Chandrasekar, another vendor, pointed to the waste from the market dumped behind the premises and said that the corporation had not cleared the dumper bins for the last 10 days, stating that the garbage truck had to undergo repair.
“The pathways are full of potholes and garbage is not cleared till the evening. There are not less than 30 tourists visiting the market daily, in addition to thousands of customers,” he said. The vendors said that a police out-post was needed at once since the premises had become a hub for antisocial activities in the night. “A few of us often stay at the market during the nights to pack flowers for Kerala and we have noticed groups of youths using the premises to consume alcohol. The presence of policemen here will prevent such activities,” said P. Vijayan, a jasmine vendor.
