City to get AMMAA weekly markets

Tuesday, 10 February 2015 05:00 administrator
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The Hindu     10.02.2015   

City to get AMMAA weekly markets

Products will be sold at a fraction of their retail prices

The civic body has planned to commission at least three AMMAA weekly markets in the city by March.

A variety of goods will be sold at a fraction of their market prices at these facilities.

On Monday, the Chennai Corporation zeroed in on Pallikaranai, Arumbakkam and Mint as venues for the markets in the first phase.

The commissioning of these three markets will be announced at the next council meeting.

In Pallikaranai, a five-acre plot of land near the proposed convention centre is likely to be used for setting up 200 shops this month.

The Corporation will also facilitate the setting up of 200 shops each in the markets at Arumbakkam and Mint.

Property problems

The civic body had earlier identified locations on Poonamallee High Road and Turnbulls Road, and in Saligramam, Valasaravakkam and Mint, and near Tidel Park for commissioning of the markets.

But many of these properties belong to other government departments and clearance for using them is awaited.

According to a Corporation official, the prices of most products to be sold at the weekly markets will be half of market rates.

The civic body is likely to increase the number of AMMAA markets to 15 in a few months. A list of 1,256 products to be sold has been finalised.

Toilets and parking facility will be provided near the markets. Each of the shops, which will be temporary structures, will span an area of 100 sq. ft.

The civic body is on the lookout for land to set up the markets in 197 other locations. The project involves a total of 40,000 outlets. At least 600 shops will start functioning by March.

A total of 40,000 outlets will be set up. At least 600 shops will start functioning by March