Minister for Cooperatives inspects renovated wholesale market on Bazaar Road in Arakkonam

Cooperative Minister V. Gandhiraj on Sunday inspected the oldest wholesale market on Bazaar Road in Arakkonam, which is being renovated as part of the work to open the facility to public.

Arakkonam Municipal Corporation officials, who carried out the ₹6-crore work, said this is the second time the market complex has been renovated since 1984, when 194 shops were first demolished and rebuilt. New stores opened in 1987. “The new shops in the renovated market complex are spacious for traders to store goods and display their products. Adequate basic amenities such as water taps and toilets will also be installed,” said N. Anandan, Municipal Engineer of Arakkonam Municipality. Hindu.

Officials said that the market complex, which includes 204 stores, was renewed. The sizes of the stores vary from 200 m2 to 400 m2, depending on additional facilities such as cold storage and storage rooms. Facilities provide taps and toilets providing purified water. The market also has a large courtyard for loading and unloading perishable foods and other items. “Existing traders should be given priority in allocating new stores in the revamped market. Norms should be relaxed to accommodate old traders,” said G. Ethiraj, President of Arakkonam All Grocery Traders Association.

Municipal officials said that as per norms, renovated shops can be allotted to old traders only if the traders have been running outlets in the market complex for at least 18 years. In addition, former tradesmen should have been taxpayers. The renewed market also has ramps for the disabled. The height of the floor of the market complex has been increased to 1.5 ft above the existing road level to prevent floods during monsoon. CCTV cameras with monitoring room have been installed to enhance security.

A police box was established to prevent minor crimes. Solar panels were installed as part of energy saving measures. The rent will be fixed according to current market rates. Vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, groceries, flowers and stationery will be sold in the stores in the market. The market will be open all day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Residents said the temporary market complex near the railway station lacked basic facilities such as water taps and toilets for consumers. Officials added that the temporary market should be properly leveled to prevent floods during monsoon.