Give us priority in new complex, demand Nethaji Market traders

Traders unequivocally said that they would not vacate the shops until they were given priority in the shop allotment in the proposed multi-storey building.

Nethaji Market All Traders Association leader K Gnanavel said, the proposed move to construct a multi-storey building would not be convenient for both the customers and the traders. He suggested, the fish market that was present earlier, adjacent to Netaji Market, should be accommodated in the ground floor of the proposed structure.

Making it clear that unless officials assured priority in the shop allotment in the new complex, traders would not vacate their present shops, he said that the government move would affect the livelihood of 752 permanent shops and 300 ground level shops.

Collector SA Raman and corporation commissioner C Sivasubramaniam pacified the agitated traders by promising them that their demand would be considered. They also said that the viewpoints would be passed on to higher officials.

However, Sivasubramaniam said that the local body had no powers to change norms or the laws and hence no assurance can be given. Shops would be allotted based on lots, he added.

Disappointed by this, traders started walking out of the meeting. But, Raman intervened and pacified them.