Flower market to function from Shastri Maidan

Coimbatore: The city corporation sealed the old and new flower markets on Mettupalayam Road on Monday.
Flower vendors are expected to function from Shastri Maidan on Arokiasamy Road at RS Puram from Tuesday. “As many as 135 stage shops and 28 stall shops were functioning in the flower markets. The civic body decided to close the markets as it was difficult to control the crowd. Subsequently, entry to both the markets were sealed with metal sheets on Monday,” a statement from the corporation said.
Earlier that day, flower vendors approached corporation officials and requested them to allow them continue business from the markets. They promised to follow Covid-19 guidelines.
“Shastri ground lacks basic facilities including drinking water and toilets. As there are no roof, it is impossible for us to sit under the scorching sun. Flowers will wither in the heat. Our business would be affected as the place lacks direct bus connection,” a flower vendor told TOI. “After the state government closed temples and restricted the number of people attending marriages and other functions, we are facing severe loss. If we are moved to another place, our business would be affected. That’s why we requested them to allow us to function from the markets.”
K Ayyapan, trustee of Kovai District Flower Merchant Association said that the corporation convinced the vendors to shift to Shastri Maidan. “We have decided to function from the ground from Tuesday. Details like the number of shops are yet to be decided,” he said.
A week ago, the civic body had allowed 60 flower vendors to function also from new flower market opposite to the old one as a preventive measure to contain the spread of Covid-19. As the footfall at the markets remained high, corporation officials decided to close them and instead allowed the vendors to function from Shastri Maidan.