Markets on South and East Avani Moola Streets bustle with colourful lights and enthusiastic shoppers in the evening hours. But those who prefer to walk in the area find the cramped streets and lack of pavements a disturbing experience.
The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is fortified by Chithirai, Avani Moola, Masi and Veli streets. Nearby areas like Elukadal street and Pudu Mandapam are important areas for trade. Several wholesale stationery shops and retail shops for clothes, jewellery and knick knacks are spread along the stretch.
Uma Maheshwaran, a regular visitor, says, “since the tiny pavement on East Avani Moola Street is packed with people, it is easy for someone to pick my pocket. If there is a dedicated walking path, it would create a safer space and boost tourism as it would add to the overall temple experience.”
Local businessmen say that the increasing number of two-wheelers parked along the roads are preventing customers from entering their stores.
M. Sikkandar, a small business owner, says that half the road is blocked by scooters and other two-wheelers. Some are parked one after another. Tis creates a menace. “It has been one year since patch work was done on parts of East and South Avani Moola Street but the road is already falling apart. Pollution and dust generated by two-wheelers cause problems to customers. They find it difficult to walk between several two-wheelers,” he says.
The traffic police, who operate from Madurai central, suggests the use of multi-level parking for two-wheelers.
Large retail stores should be encouraged to build their own parking facilities to accommodate the growing number of vehicles apart from a privately run parking lot which can house up to 200 two-wheelers. Motorists can park their vehicles for a nominal amount of ₹10. He states that if the Simmakkal fruit market and the onion market on East Masi Street are shifted, traffic congestion could be eased.
