Wholesale vegetable traders in Coimbatore are awaiting approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning for a new market project at Thirumalaiyampalayam. The proposed market aims to accommodate 89 shops on 9.5 acres of land.
Coimbatore: Wholesale vegetable traders in Coimbatore are eagerly awaiting approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning for their proposed new market project at Thirumalaiyampalayam. The initiative, involving about 90 traders from MGR Market and TK Market, aims to establish a modern wholesale vegetable market outside the city limits.
M. Rajendran, president of the TK Market wholesale vegetable traders' association, revealed that the traders jointly purchased 9.5 acres of land at Thirumalaiyampalayam three years ago. The project, estimated to cost ₹42 crore, is designed to accommodate 89 shops and includes the development of essential infrastructure such as an underground drainage system, overhead water tank, and roads.
"We submitted our application to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning three months ago, along with all the required documents. We are hopeful of receiving approval soon to begin construction of the shops," Rajendran stated.
The need for a new market has become increasingly urgent due to several factors. The ongoing construction of a flyover on Mettupalayam road by the Highways Department is expected to affect vehicle movement to the existing MGR market. This development is likely to create difficulties for retail traders who purchase vegetables in bulk, particularly in terms of vehicle parking and loading.
Furthermore, the current location of wholesale markets within Coimbatore city limits has led to space constraints, affecting the traders' operations. As a result, a significant portion of vegetable sales has shifted to other locations such as Mysuru in Karnataka and Oddanchathram in Tamil Nadu. Even within Coimbatore district, traders selling vegetables to Kerala have begun moving their operations to areas like Kinathukadavu and Pollachi.
The proposed market at Thirumalaiyampalayam is seen as a solution to these challenges, offering more space and better facilities for traders and buyers alike. The traders are urging the concerned departments to expedite the approval process, emphasizing the project's importance for the local vegetable trade.
As the vegetable traders await the green light from authorities, the new market project stands poised to potentially transform the wholesale vegetable trade in Coimbatore, addressing long-standing issues of space and accessibility.
M. Rajendran, president of the TK Market wholesale vegetable traders' association, revealed that the traders jointly purchased 9.5 acres of land at Thirumalaiyampalayam three years ago. The project, estimated to cost ₹42 crore, is designed to accommodate 89 shops and includes the development of essential infrastructure such as an underground drainage system, overhead water tank, and roads.
"We submitted our application to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning three months ago, along with all the required documents. We are hopeful of receiving approval soon to begin construction of the shops," Rajendran stated.
The need for a new market has become increasingly urgent due to several factors. The ongoing construction of a flyover on Mettupalayam road by the Highways Department is expected to affect vehicle movement to the existing MGR market. This development is likely to create difficulties for retail traders who purchase vegetables in bulk, particularly in terms of vehicle parking and loading.
Furthermore, the current location of wholesale markets within Coimbatore city limits has led to space constraints, affecting the traders' operations. As a result, a significant portion of vegetable sales has shifted to other locations such as Mysuru in Karnataka and Oddanchathram in Tamil Nadu. Even within Coimbatore district, traders selling vegetables to Kerala have begun moving their operations to areas like Kinathukadavu and Pollachi.
The proposed market at Thirumalaiyampalayam is seen as a solution to these challenges, offering more space and better facilities for traders and buyers alike. The traders are urging the concerned departments to expedite the approval process, emphasizing the project's importance for the local vegetable trade.
As the vegetable traders await the green light from authorities, the new market project stands poised to potentially transform the wholesale vegetable trade in Coimbatore, addressing long-standing issues of space and accessibility.