The Hindu 18.01.2011
Koyambedu market set to sport new look
Tenders have been floated for various infrastructure projects
More facilities coming: The Koyambedu market complex will soon get a
makeover, with the CMDA set to take up improvement works. — Photo: S.S.
Kumar
Koyambedu wholesale market complex, which is in dire need of
improvement, is set to gain a new look soon as tenders have been floated
for various infrastructure projects.
According to sources with the Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority (CMDA), some of the long-pending works, including
relaying of concrete roads inside the market and construction of storm
water drains, would be taken up at a cost of Rs.7 crore. The project
would be executed as first phase of the improvement works.
CMDA had recently sanctioned a fund of Rs.33.65 crore to
augment and maintain the infrastructure in the market that houses 3,194
shops.
CMDA sources said that the roads between the fruit,
flower and vegetable markets would be concretised. Nearly one km of the
roads connecting gate 7 and 14 in vegetable market, gate 3 and 18 and
between fruit and flower market would be re-laid.
Storm water drains spanning over 2 km long would also be
constructed along these roads. The 12-km long existing SWD network
would give way to new cement concrete facility to enable draining of
floodwater.
The CMDA would also carry out work to lay cement concrete road in truck bays between ‘H’ and ‘N’ blocks after nearly a decade.
Sources at Market Management Committee said the work
order had already been issued to relay roads in the truck bays at
vegetable market at a cost of Rs.1.45 crore. The poor condition of the
roads in and around the market often leads to traffic pile-up and
disrupts unloading of produce. The project would be completed in eight
months.
The remaining projects such as relaying the neighbouring ‘A’ , ‘E’ and ‘C’ roads would be taken up in the next phase.
Visitors and traders complained that the market became
inundated and slushy as there was no escape route for the flood water.
This affected over one lakh people who visited the market daily.
Visitors wanted the MMC to take measures to curb haphazard parking in
the market.
Traders said that many schemes have been chalked out to
improve the infrastructure of the market. Teams comprising CMDA
officials that inspected the area had promised to develop the market two
years ago. But there has not been much progress. Authorities concerned
must ensure steps to complete the project this year, they said.