Arakkonam traders oppose municipality’s shopping complex plan

ARAKKONAM: A meeting called by the Arakkonam Municipality to elicit the views of traders to the proposed demolition of a 30-year-old shopping complex and construction of a new complex in its place drew stiff opposition from shop keepers on Thursday.

The local body planned to construct Rs 9 crore complex to replace the 1982 built shopping complex in the town, which presently houses 194 shops, which sell vegetables, fruits, flowers and meat with another set of shops outside the complex selling various items sans permission.

Opposing this, traders pleaded for a minimum period of three years before planning a new building. A woman trader threatened to immolate herself if the municipality went ahead with its proposed move.