The commercial complex being developed by Chennai Corporation in Pondy Bazaar will be opened in April, Mayor M.Subramanian said on Thursday. It would house pavement vendors relocated from different parts of T.Nagar.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting construction of the complex, which would have 692 shops, the Mayor said that the 43,029 sq ft of built-up area is being created at a cost of Rs.4.30 crore.
He said work on the complex, coming up on land belonging to the Chennai Corporation after demolishing an old vegetable market, is set to get over ahead of the scheduled completion in June. Work on construction of the building with three blocks commenced in January 2009.
Asked about priority in allotment of shops to those who had shops at the same location, Mr.Subramanian said the matter would be discussed with the Chairman of the Hawking Committee appointed by the Madras High Court. He added that 5 ft x 5 ft shops would be allotted to all shopkeepers.
Rajeshwari, secretary of the association of vendors who had shops in the demolished complex, said they needed bigger shops. “We have been here at this market for over 80 years. We need more space,” she said.
The Mayor said that the civic body will not allow encroachments on footpaths and shops that prove to be hindrance to traffic. He said that in the past couple of weeks 27 roadside eateries had been closed down in T.Nagar area alone.
Shopping complexes for hawkers at Monegar Chowltry Road in Royapuram and Palavayal Market Road at Ayanavaram will be opened next month.
He said complexes with 125 shops on MC Road and 332 shops at Palavayal Market Road are in the final stages of construction. Put together, the three complexes cost Rs.5.78 crore.
The Mayor said the Corporation may consider providing alternatives to timber merchants in Mint area, whose shops had been removed for the construction of a flyover there.
