Activists flay withdrawal of order shifting Tiruchy market

Although an exclusive market was constructed at Kallikudi on the outskirts of the city, the Gandhi Market traders refused to shift from the city and continued to operate from Gandhi Market in the middle of Tiruchy which often resulted in traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, the outbreak of COVID-19 made the district administration to shift the wholesale section of Gandhi Market to Palpannai service road to ensure social distancing. However, this time too, the vendors hesitated to move but later the district administration issued a strict warning to move from the spot and so they did.

Notably, the makeshift market failed to adhere to the norms of social distancing. According to an intelligence report, there were around 20,000 persons including common people who gather every day without maintaining social distancing. The district administration which also conducted an inspection further ordered to shift the market from Palpannai to Samayapuram Goat market. Opposing this decision, the traders declared an indefinite strike demanding to allow them to continue operations in Palpannai.

In such a backdrop, the traders met Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan who had reportedly recommended the district collector to withdraw the decision and the district administration announced that they continue to function at Palpannai.