COIMBATORE: Traders of the Anna Retail Vegetable Market have urged the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) to put an end to the retail sale of vegetables at the nearby MGR Wholesale Market, alleging that the practice has severely affected their business and livelihood.
A delegation led by Kovai Anna Market All Traders Association president S V Madasamy alias Chandran submitted a petition to Mayor R Ranganayaki on Tuesday, requesting immediate intervention to restore the original purpose of the wholesale market.
In the petition, the association stated that around 1,000 families have been dependent on the Anna Market for the past 38 years. The traders said that while the MGR Market was established as a wholesale market, several vendors have been continuing retail sales, resulting in a significant decline in customer footfall at the Anna Market.
According to the association, retail sales were temporarily permitted at the MGR Wholesale Market during the COVID-19 pandemic to help traders overcome disruptions. However, despite repeated requests after normalcy returned, the practice has continued.
The traders pointed out that they had submitted a representation to the MGR Wholesale Market administration on June 29, 2022, seeking an end to retail sales. However, they alleged that no effective action had been taken.
The association further said that business at the Anna Market has already been hit due to the ongoing renovation of shops within the market complex and the Saibaba Colony flyover project works. Continuing retail operations at the wholesale market, they argued, has further worsened the situation.