‘Will evict illegal vendors from Koyambedu market’

After the Market Management Committee (MMC) complained that the around 300 unauthorised vendors occupied space in the in Koyambedu market complex leading to inconvenience for licensed traders due to space crunch, the CMDA has warned of eviction soon if such unlicensed traders continue to do business in the premises.

Sources said that the biggest market has become a haven for these vendors, even though they are evicted from the complex every year. However, the traders soon return to the same spot before long. 

“Whenever we questioned the uncertified vendors in the complex, they would shout at us. They even threaten us with dire consequence,” said a licensed vendor in the market. The officials evict at least 300 to 400 vendors every year, he said. In the recent months, the officials had removed around 200 such vendors, while more than 500 vendors were evicted during a raid in 2015. Meanwhile, the Market Management Committee has welcomed the move. 

V R Soundararajan, president of Koyambedu Wholesale Vegetable Traders Association and a member of Market Management Committee said, “These unauthorised vendors are working hand in glove with some officials.” 

“The MMC has reported that 300 unauthorised vendors are still in possession space within the market. We will evict them if they are not leaving,” said a CMDA official said, pointing out that a committee would be set up to monitor the illegal traders round the clock.