S.M. Street merchants owing allegiance to the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti (KVVES) will down shutters for half a day on Tuesday against the ban on entry of vehicles to the renovated street.
They claim that the ban has been spoiling their trade for months. They will also take out a march to the Corporation office and submit a memorandum to the Mayor seeking an immediate solution to the issue.
KVVES leaders said the limited parking space around the street and the ban were discouraging shoppers.
Merchants in the area said entry of vehicles should be allowed at least till noon to complete the unloading of goods for shops.
C.P. Abdurahiman, convener of the S.M. Street unit of the KVVES, said the renovated street was only helping tourism promotion now and traders in the area were in a situation to give up their business with the declining revenue.
“Action taken by the police against those who came to the street with their vehicles too has made the destination unpopular among shoppers,” he claimed.
He also accused the district administration of adopting a hostile approach towards the merchants after they strongly aired their concerns at a meeting attended by the District Collector.
“The merchants only raised their concerns on the impact of restricted parking space and they had no plan to insult anyone,” he said.
