Ban on entry of lorries into Gandhi Market deferred

With the Tiruchi Agricultural Market Committee taking time to complete the verification of applicants for allotment of shops in the Central Market for Vegetables and Flowers at Kallikudi, the district administration has decided to postpone enforcement of the proposed ban on entry of lorries transporting vegetables to the Gandhi Market.

As per the earlier decision, it was announced that vehicles transporting vegetables and fruits from different parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to Tiruchi would not be allowed to offload at Gandhi Market from June 1.

Instead, they would be diverted to the Central Market for Vegetables and Flowers at Kallikudi, where 830 shops have been constructed.

Sections of traders from the Gandhi Market had urged the district administration not to implement the ban order and grant at least three months time for the traders, who are not willing to move, to find alternatives.

Meanwhile, the district administration had begun the process of allotment of shops to wholesale traders. It had formed a committee with the Deputy Director of Agricultural Marketing, Secretary, Tiruchi Agricultural Market Committee, Assistant Commissioner of Tiruchi City Corporation (Ariamangalam zone) and Account Officer, Horticultural Department, as members to scrutinise and verify the applications received from traders seeking allotment of shops at the Kallikudi market. A large number of traders had submitted the forms with the Tiruchi Agricultural Market Committee, seeking allotment of shops.

But, it is said that the Tiruchi Agricultural Market Committee, which is overseeing the task of allotting shops, is yet to complete verification of 1,638 applications, who have shown inclination to move over from the Gandhi Market to Kallikudi complex. However, there are indications that the Committee has prepared a tentative list of allottees.

The names of active and genuine wholesale traders at Gandhi Market figured in the list, it is said.

The list will soon be sent to Collector K. Rajamani for approval.

The Collector is expected to discuss the issue with senior officials and representatives of Tiruchi Agricultural Market Committee on Sunday or Monday. A final list would be prepared after that.

Mr. Rajamani told The Hindu that verification of applications was almost over. The names of retail traders, seasonal traders and those operating from outside the Gandhi Market would not be considered in the first phase.

The allotees list would have genuine and active wholesale traders, who had shown interest to move to Kallikudi complex.

After due process, orders would be issued to the allottees.

The process would take about 10 days. The Kallikudi market would start functioning from third or fourth week of June, he added.


Verification of applications was almost over and Kallikudi market would start functioning from third or fourth week of June

K. Rajamani

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