Chennai: Mayor Saidai Duraisamy who visited vegetable and fruit vendors at Eldams Roadon Saturday, promised them a number of welfare measures.

Almost 30 vegetable vendors do business on this cramped lane of Teyn­ampet. A complex was built for them some years ago on Eldams Road itself, but it lies unutilised since its inception. 

The complex at present resembles an old structure and is used as a storehouse-cum-dumping ground. The mayor told them that it would be attended to and that they would be able to move into it soon.

Locals are skeptical, saying that this was the usual refrain uttered by the authorities. Last time too, the vendors had moved into the place, but had to return to the streets due to the sheer lack of basic amenities and proper upkeep of the premises.

Muthu Kumar, a vegetable vendor,  at the market, says, “The mayor said that he would take care of our needs. But this is not the first time he has said so. We shifted into the complex in the past too, but soon had to leave as it was not properly maintained. We need electricity as we sell vegetables in the evening as well, but it was absent. Presently, the complex also lies dirty. The mayor said it would be cleaned and then we could move in.”

He pointed out that  many vegetable sellers from this Teynampet complex had, over the years, left for better places in the city from which to sell their wares.

Asthar A, a shopkeeper on the same street, says, “The vendors have to give rent to the temple to occupy space on the street, which could be done away with if the complex starts functioning properly.”

The mayor also visited the fish market and promised similar measures there as well.