Wholesale onion traders are building their own market complex at Ariyamangalam even as the district administration has set in motion a consultation process with traders of the Gandhi Market for shifting them to the central market for vegetables, fruits and flowers at Kallikudi on the outskirts of the city.
The wholesale onion market is an important part of the Gandhi Market in the city. The market is the hub for Bellary and small onions trade in the region and caters to retail traders from Tiruchi and several other nearby districts.
It largely functions on Sub-Jail Road outside Gandhi Market and many traders process the onion on roadsides. Over 75 shops line up the narrow Sub Jail Road so much so that the road remained closed for traffic for several decades before the former City Police Commissioner Karuna Sagar took steps to reopen it for traffic in August 2009.
Yet, most of the traders continue to operate on the roadsides and sacks of onion could be seen lined up along the road.
Loading and unloading of onions take place right on the road. Traffic congestion is perennial on Sub-jail Road, Thanjavur Road and Vellamandi Road intersections near the market. Traffic hold-ups occur at these intersections often bringing the traffic to a standstill around the market.
Meanwhile, the Tiruchi Onion Commission Mandi Traders Association has taken up the initiative to build their own market complex at Ariyamangalam off Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass Road.
The complex is being built at a site purchased by the association in the early 90s. One hundred shops with spacious access to roads for lorries are being built.
According to A. Thangaraj, general secretary, Tiruchi Onion Commission Mandi Traders’ Association, nearly 75 per cent of the work has been completed. “We took up the project at an estimate of about ₹ 7 crore but we are facing a funds crunch so that the work has slowed down. Once we mobilise the required funds, the project will be completed soon,” he said.
The shops would be owned by about 78 traders who are members of the association. The association has taken up the construction on their behalf. The complex has been named Commercial Complex for All Perishable Vegetables and Fruits. “As there are 100 shops at the complex, we will allot some of the shops to traders of other vegetables or perishable products,” he said.
The complex would have all necessary amenities and infrastructure for traders, public and farmers visiting the market. “The market includes rest rooms for traders and farmers. We have provided a spacious two-wheeler parking lot, toilets and a lorry weighing machine inside the complex,” he said.
Once the complex is ready, onion wholesale traders would go there. “The market is close to Gandhi Market and right on the highway for easy accessibility,” he said. Once the market is ready, the need for onion traders to move to Kallikudi, about 15 km away from the city, would be averted.
