Tension prevailed for a while at the retail vegetable market of Madley Road in T.Nagar on Monday after Southern Railway officials made markings inside 10 shops that are located along the tracks.
Parasuraman, a farmer from Chengalpet, who sells his produce in the market, said the officials accompanied by around 200 policemen made measurements and dug holes inside shops and placed iron pieces to mark the spots.
“We didn’t get any intimation from the railways. Only when we asked them they told us that the land was theirs and was required for some project. However, we pay a rent of Rs. 490 each to the Chennai Corporation,” he said.
“We are worried that we will be evicted soon,” said R. Thamizhmani, a vendor.
Sources in Chennai Corporation said they were not informed by the railway authorities of any move to take over the shops.
Meanwhile, Southern Railway officials said the survey was part of preliminary works for constructing an additional foot overbridge near the existing one at the northern end of the platform.
