Responding to complaints received in the Open House at Raj Nivas, Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi visited Muthialpet and Reddiyarpalayam as part of her weekend rounds by bicycle on Sunday.
In the complaint, the Puducherry Fishers People Kazhagam had reported that the 100-year-old fish market in Muthialpet was demolished in 2010 for reconstruction with financial assistance extended by two MLAs from their Local Area Development Fund, the Pondicherry Municipal Fund and Central Grant to meet the proposed plan estimation of ₹2.6 crore. Part of the terms for completion was that the proposed reconstruction will be completed in 12 months.
In a press release, Raj Nivas said Pondicherry Municipal Commissioner S. Gannesin, Executive Engineer Sekar, and revenue officer Balaji apprised the Lieutenant Governor that the construction work was completed and was awaiting electricity connection.
Allotment of spots
The municipal commissioner said that the 72 platforms for fish vendors, 48 provisions and general merchant shops and 72 for vegetable vendors would be ready for use after completion benefiting 190 vendors.
On being asked about the allotment criteria, Mr. Gannesin clarified that only those vendors who occupied the spots previously had been temporarily accommodated at the nearby Vellavari Canal location and would be allotted space in the market. He added that flower, vegetable and fruit vendors occupying the roadsides would be accommodated here. Explaining the process, he told the Lieutenant Governor that each of the previous occupants had been photographed and had filled out an application.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed the commissioner to complete all the pending work by November and open the market on an auspicious day in December. By bringing back these vendors to the market, not only will justice be served but also the roadsides occupied by them would be free for smooth traffic flow.
The Lieutenant Governor visited MAS Colony in Reddiyarpalayam to inspect the progress in cleaning a blocked drain. Observing the progress, she instructed the respective officers to attend to public complaints on priority.
