Demolition of 31 shops belonging to the Corporation on Jeyaraj Road began on Tuesday to make way for construction of a multi-level car parking facility.
Notices were issued to shopkeepers, whose lease period had ended on June 30, to vacate shops.
Corporation officials, led by Town Planning Officer Maran, Assistant Executive Engineer (in-charge) Saravanan, oversaw the demolition activity. Police were deployed for security.
Toilets and a cycle stand were also demolished. These shops were constructed in 1991.
The multi-level car parking facility, to be constructed under the Smart Cities Mission at a cost of ₹10.24 crore, would have four levels, spanning an area of 2,411 sq.m. It would have a parking capacity of 74 cars and 192 two-wheelers. On the first floor, 12 shops would be constructed.
No space was earmarked to park four-wheelers or two-wheelers. It led to haphazard parking on the roadside creating difficulty for pedestrians and other vehicle users. The latest move has been taken to reduce traffic congestion.
Traders, who were occupying the shops, had approached the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court for relief against eviction notice but the court observed that traders had no right to be in possession of shops as the lease period had ended. Although the court had advised the corporation to consider the representation made of traders for an alternative arrangement to ensure that their livelihoods were not disturbed, officials said that there was no space where they could be accommodated.