Koyambedu wholesale market complex, which is in dire need of improvement, is set to gain a new look soon as tenders have been floated for various infrastructure projects.
According to sources with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), some of the long-pending works, including relaying of concrete roads inside the market and construction of storm water drains, would be taken up at a cost of Rs.7 crore. The project would be executed as first phase of the improvement works.
CMDA had recently sanctioned a fund of Rs.33.65 crore to augment and maintain the infrastructure in the market that houses 3,194 shops.
ADVERTISEMENT
CMDA sources said that the roads between the fruit, flower and vegetable markets would be concretised. Nearly one km of the roads connecting gate 7 and 14 in vegetable market, gate 3 and 18 and between fruit and flower market would be re-laid.
Storm water drains spanning over 2 km long would also be constructed along these roads. The 12-km long existing SWD network would give way to new cement concrete facility to enable draining of floodwater.
The CMDA would also carry out work to lay cement concrete road in truck bays between ‘H' and ‘N' blocks after nearly a decade.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sources at Market Management Committee said the work order had already been issued to relay roads in the truck bays at vegetable market at a cost of Rs.1.45 crore. The poor condition of the roads in and around the market often leads to traffic pile-up and disrupts unloading of produce. The project would be completed in eight months.
The remaining projects such as relaying the neighbouring ‘A' , ‘E' and ‘C' roads would be taken up in the next phase.
Visitors and traders complained that the market became inundated and slushy as there was no escape route for the flood water. This affected over one lakh people who visited the market daily. Visitors wanted the MMC to take measures to curb haphazard parking in the market.
Traders said that many schemes have been chalked out to improve the infrastructure of the market. Teams comprising CMDA officials that inspected the area had promised to develop the market two years ago. But there has not been much progress. Authorities concerned must ensure steps to complete the project this year, they said.