The work on augmentation and maintenance of the infrastructure, including stormwater drain network, in the Koyambedu market complex has gained momentum.
Senior officials of the Housing and Urban Development Department conducted a review at the site on Saturday.
The work, which progressed at a sluggish pace sometime ago, is likely to be completed by June. The Basic Infrastructure and Amenities Promotion Committee approved an allocation of Rs.33.63 crore for the project in September 2010. The work was slow because of the hindrance caused by other important infrastructure projects such as the metro rail work in the past few months.
Monsoon and the crowd in the market during Christmas and Pongal season also slowed down the work because functioning of the market cannot be stopped for the improvement work, said officials of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
Only 20 per cent of the work has been completed so far. The CMDA will release Rs.33.63 crore for the project from its funds collected through the Infrastructure and Amenities Charges.
The work includes creation of new stormwater drains over 9 km long, widening of roads and concretisation of a 350-metre road connecting gate 7 and 14, which is being used by heavy vehicles to carry perishables to the market complex. The road work is under way.
The market complex was planned in an area of around 295 acres and the wholesale market for perishables has been developed in an area of around 70 acres in the first phase.
It has around 3,154 shops for vegetables, fruits and flowers. The market has two blocks for vegetable shops and one each for fruit and flower market.
The restoration work at the market is expected to increase the number of visitors to the market, said a CMDA official.