Smart city project: Traders seek preference in shop allotment after Nethaji market renovation

After visiting the market on Officers Line, the federation president said, “The government has proposed to demolish the Nethaji Market and build a new, upscale version under the smart city project. When new shops are built, preference should be given to the 752 traders, who already had shops at the market facility.” 

Due to the proposed demolition of the market and fresh allotment, livelihood of not only traders, but also thousands of workers, who were getting indirect employment were hit, Vikramaraja added.

Conveying that the office bearers of the federation met the minister and local administration officials and handed over petitions listing their various demands and grievances, he said that a State-level fast would be observed by members of the federation on October 23 to highlight the need for safeguarding the livelihoods of traders across the State. 

Demanding that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami should meet federation representatives to safeguard traders’ livelihood, he said failing to address this issue would result in indefinite closure of shops. 

Further, traders across India would take out a procession in their respective districts on December 16 to highlight their grievances, the federation president added.

Sources said that recently traders in Nethaji Market were given title deeds to individual plots in a site purchased by a trade organisation. The traders were also informed about where they would be shifted once the work to set up smart city commences. 

“The traders are willing to shift as they know that they will benefit through the smart city project,” said officials.