More than 75 shopkeepers on Kootha Manicka Chetty Street, in Chunnambukara Street, behind Vellore Old Bus Stand, have demanded the renovation of the drainline in the locality.

They said the drains located on either side of the street were just half-foot wide and one-foot deep and often got blocked.

“Earlier, the population in Periya Alipuran street was less and a small drain was sufficient. But now it needs to be widened,” said Sakthi, owner of a hardware store. The situation becomes worse when the drain overflow during rains, he added.

The businessmen complained that the Corporation had cleared encroachments in front of the shops but they were still waiting for the drainlines to be fixed and cement slabs laid over them to connect the street and their shops. “Now the shopkeepers were placing wooden boards over the drains for customers to reach the shops. This affects the business as people hesitate to enter the shops,” said Nazir Ahmed, a shopkeeper.

Councillor of ward-29, B Kothandapani said the local body had allotted Rs 7.5 lakh for drain renovation for the 250-metre stretch in Kootha Manicka Chetty Street and 350-metre stretch at Bakhiya Street. The new drainline will be two feet wide and two feet deep. Tenders had also been floated for this work.