Decade-long market project waits in the wings in Chennai

Nearly 350 pulses, cereal traders paid an advance to move into Koyambedu complex

December 01, 2014 02:17 am | Updated April 07, 2016 02:19 am IST - CHENNAI:

The modern integrated market is aimed at decongesting George Town, where the old wholesale market functions — Photo: K. Pichumani

The modern integrated market is aimed at decongesting George Town, where the old wholesale market functions — Photo: K. Pichumani

More than a decade after they paid an advance in the hope of moving into a modern and integrated market at Koyambedu, pulses and cereal merchants are stuck at the old wholesale market in Kothawal Chavadi, George Town.

In 2003, nearly 350 traders paid an advance for moving into the Rs. 62-crore complex in Koyambedu. Housing 500 shops on 15 acres of land opposite the vegetable market, the complex was completed three months ago; but, due to a delay in allotment of some shop numbers, they are yet to move in, traders said.

While Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority officials did not spell out the reason for the delay, sources said they were hopeful of resolving the issue in a fortnight. They have installed solar powered lights and work was currently on to sink a borewell. All other works had been completed, they said.

The integrated market was conceived by former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran to decongest George Town, but it was not until 2005 that the housing and urban development department passed an order. It took another seven years for construction to begin, traders said.

“We have been selling pulses for the past 75 years. We find it extremely difficult to bring and deliver goods through the congested streets. The integrated market at Koyambedu should be commissioned without further delay,” said K. Azhaguraja, a wholesale merchant.

There are over 2,000 traders functioning from the Kothawal Chavadi wholesale pulses and cereals market. It is the primary landing point for commodities from all over India, from where they are supplied to retailers across the city, and even adjoining districts.

While traders look forward to moving to the integrated market, loadmen are worried. “We travel as far as Mylapore and Madhavaram to deliver goods in hand-carts and tricycles. We earn around Rs. 300 a day when we get work. If the market shifts from here, we will be hit hard,” said K. Boominathan of Sendurai in Ariyalur district, who has been a loadman in Kothawal Chavadi for 23 years.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.