The Vellore Corporation is waiting for permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to go ahead with the construction of shops for street vendors on the old fish market premises on Anna Salai.
The Corporation has planned to construct 200 shops to accommodate street vendors presently making a living in and around Long Bazaar at the old fish market.
Permission must
With the market being in the vicinity of an archaeological site – Vellore Fort – permission from ASI was a must for carrying out new construction activity, officials said.
“We can go ahead with the construction once the ASI gives its clearance. The street vendors have encroached space on roads, causing hindrance to road users. We want to re-locate them by constructing shops at the old fish market,” an official said.
The market area remains vacant till date after the fish and meat vendors were shifted to a new complex at Makkan on Bangalore Road.
Enumeration nearing completion
Meanwhile, the enumeration of street vendors as per the street vendor policy of the Union government is nearing completion. Another official said that tenders were floated for construction of shops at the old fish market and work order has also been issued.
“Construction of temporary shops here is being done as an immediate remedial measure for the vendors. The old fish market is nearly half an acre of land.
We are planning to provide space for street vendors in various areas in a phased manner. This is being done area-wise,” he said.
While vendors on Long Bazaar and its surrounding areas will be moved to the old fish market, land will be identified and shops built for those in other areas such as Kaspa and Vellapadi.
This is because vendors will not agree to shift outside their present business area, he further added.
