Vendors affiliated to various associations said here on Thursday that they would move to the Mattuthavani Smart Fruit Market and begin business from November 18.
A. Muruganandham, secretary, Madurai Fruit Commission Traders’ Association, said that all vendors had started customising their shops at the market. “Commission shops will soon have tiles and false ceiling and there will also be storage space at the market,” he said.
“The Madurai Corporation and various associations involved in the Smart Fruit Market have worked out several plans and compromises through which the optimal benefit will reach our businessmen,” he said. He added that the Corporation’s ductless market and underground cables would be useful as lorry movement would not be hindered.
Despite several advantages, members of the traders’ association held an informal meeting looking at ways to mitigate potential problems that could arise as work was still in progress at the market. A senior member of the Simmakkal Wholesale Fruit Vendors’ Association said that there would be space-related issues as 20-tonne lorries carrying fruits like apple from different parts of the country would not be able to enter the lanes of the smart market. They would have to be parked at the entrance on Lake View Road and the consignment transported to the shops by using small vehicles, they pointed out.
Another member of the the Madurai Fruit Commission Traders’ Association, seeking anonymity, said that the storm water drain constructed inside the fruit market had already become a sewage carrier. “It emanates stench and has turned into a mosquito breeding spot. It should be covered to prevent any health hazard,” he said.
M. Natarajan and B. Suresh, traders who are part of the association, said that they would find effective solutions to wade through the problems.
“The construction of parking lot at the entrance of the fruit market will prevent clutter and traffic inside. Lorries carrying seven to 10 tonnes of fruits can drive through the lanes but other vehicles may be stationed outside. This will not be particularly difficult for us,” they said. They added that representation had been made to the Corporation to allow vehicles carrying consignment from other States to enter the market during day time as well.
A senior engineer of Madurai Corporation said that two lorries could comfortably ply through the stretch as the concrete road is 7.5 metres wide. “Unless operations begin in full swing, vendors will not get a clear picture. Future developments will take place in the market but almost all work has been completed at the moment,” he added.