KOCHI: Now that the city is witnessing the rapid pace at which Kochi Metro Rail Project is progressing, most of us are upbeat about the development spurt Kochi is soon set to achieve. But, amidst all the hullabaloo, a section of people are left in the lurch with their livelihood under threat.
Many shops nearby the Metro work sites that once did a roaring business are now under a threat of closure and ‘discount sale’ boards have started popping up. “My life was confined to my 34-year old shop at Kaloor. Our days of suffering began the moment the construction work started. It has been downhill from that. I had to discharge employees too,” said Sunny, owner of the shop.
With the work sites taking up parking spaces at many junctions, it is the small business establishments that are at the receiving end. And, most of the customers prefer shopping in malls to avoid the hassle.”In the past, a shop on MG Road was considered a big asset. However, with Metro work starting, tables have turned. Now, it is a big burden,” says Shamseer, a shop owner at Rajaji Road.
However, many of them have gone online to make up for the losses. “Our sales have dropped more than 50 per cent owing to lack of parking space. To cope with this we have started an online store,” says Thomas, manager, ‘Tara Baby Shop’. Also on the receiving end are autorickshaw drivers. “There are so much traffic regulations and we are expected to adjust to it. Though we find it impossible, we are bearing everything because it is for a good cause,” says Jospeh, an autorickshaw driver.