On day one, Koyambedu sees regular biz, moderate crowd

Entry to the market was restricted, with only Gate 14 and 17 open for entry and exit respectively. Police personnel ensured that entry was allowed only for wholesale vendors. Retail customers were restricted from entering the premises, with cars and scooters being prohibited.

 Only wholesale shops were open for business and retail stores remained closed. Vendors shared that business and crowds were at middling numbers all through the day. “Crowd was no overwhelming because people were of the opinion that prices might be high at the market after the reopening. Additionally, many wanted the situation to settle down for three to four days before going to the market. Business was normal and costs were not very high as long as you came early,” said a vendor.

 According to P Sukumaran, treasurer, Koyambedu Vegetable Merchant’s Association, there were over 450 supply trucks on Monday and more than 2,000 wholesale vendors with vehicles coming to the market for business.

 According to Sukumaran, the move back to Koyambedu will lower vegetable prices in the coming weeks. “We are able to receive more stock now because of the facilities that Koyambedu has. This will lower prices by around 30 per cent in the weeks to come and then the prices will finally stabilise, given the weather conditions are favourable,” he said.

 Vendors kept sanitiser bottles and infrared thermometers at their shops. When a reporter visited the site, many people had masks, but social distancing was hit-and-miss. To maintain the number of people in the market, there was a trickle-flow system for the traffic. Only 50 vehicles were allowed into the market at a time to keep the numbers manageable.

 However, some vendors felt that the excessive restrictions on movement hindered their business. “We are used to coming to the market and looking around for the best produce and best prices. In this condition, there is a state of rush and so we had to settle for more expensive goods. The reduced market timings are also creating a scenario where there is more crowd gathered in a short period of time, which would be avoided if the market was open at regular hours,” said Babu, a vendor.