Frustrated over the poor amenities at Koyambedu wholesale market for nearly two decades, merchants have planned an agitation on April 27 seeking better maintenance of the complex.
The proposal to revise the entry fee, particularly for trucks transporting goods from various parts of the country, and also reduce the time slot has angered the traders.
They said the vegetable market alone receives about 400 trucks daily.
P. Sukumar, joint secretary, Koyambedu Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers Merchants Association, recalled that trucks were provided tokens for single entry into the market during the initial years which was later revised to a fee for every 24 hours.
The Market Management Committee (MMC) reduced the number of hours to 12 hours and collects up to ₹400 depending on the truck capacity. “If they reduce the time slot further to four hours and revise the fee, traders would have to shell out at least three times the existing entry fee,” he said.
The wholesale merchants said that trucks that come to the market after business hours often spend more than a day in the market.
Chaotic traffic
Residents and merchants also complained of many other issues that have remained neglected for several years.
Traffic chaos around the market roads that also has an omni bus terminus is one of the major complaints.
Traders also complained of battered roads in the market, erratic clearance of garbage, increasing encroachments and lack of water supply and sanitation facilities.
S. Chandran, president, Koyambedu Market Licensed Merchants Association, said, “There are nearly 3,100 shops in the market and traders pay a maintenance fee of up to ₹2,400 per month. But, garbage is not cleared properly. Whenever we raise complaints, only temporary measures are being taken,” he said.
The association members are planning to down shutters and go on an indefinite strike if the MMC does not meet their demands even after the agitation.
