Tenders for the
complex, which is to come up on Jenis Street on land where several
hawkers now sell their wares, are likely to be floated in a couple of
months. “We finalised the decision to construct the complex following
repeated complaints,” said a senior corporation official. The complex is
estimated to cost 3 crore.

Federation of Small Traders
Associations general secretary B Karunanidhi, however, said, the idea
was not practical. “Most buyers would not be willing to climb three
floors and vendors would again be forced on to the road.” He also said
proper maintenance should be ensured. “Most of the time, such complexes
are not maintained properly and this keeps buyers away.”

Corporation officials said it was to resolve this that an elevator was
proposed. “Buyers need not to climb stairs to purchase things from top
floors. A parking lot will also be provided,” an official said.

Hawkers are excited. They want the corporation to provide at least 40
sq ft of space for each stall. “Most corporation complexes are crowded
and congested. This one should be designed to provide enough air
circulation,” said R Selvam.

Another vendor, Maheswari, said:
“The idea is good, but there is no clarity on rehabilitation of vendors
who will be evicted from here. I have been selling vegetables here for
the last two years,” she said

Commuters and buyers are happy.
“There is no place to park vehicles in the present market. Also, there
is traffic congestion because of the vendors on the road. If the vendors
are evicted from these stretches, it will be a relief for motorists,”
said N Murugeshan, a buyer.

However, the proposal could draw
criticism as two such complexes in Ayanavaram and Pondy Bazar remain
unused. A building housing 332 shops in Ayanavaram and one housing 644
shops in Pondy Bazaar are now being used by miscreants for anti-social
activities. Corporation officials said the complex at Pondy Bazaar was
not open as a case filed by some hawkers was pending in the Supreme
Court and that the hawkers’ committee would finalise the list of
allotees for the Ayanavaram complex in a couple of weeks.