CHENNAI: Amid the hustle and bustle of George Town, formerly known as Black Town in the colonial days, stands the Seven Wells Market, on 10 grounds of land that have stood the test of time, for over 100 years or so, but with a case pending in the court by the owners seeking a share in the piece of land.
The surroundings of the market is as untidy as any other market and there has been no effort taken to keep the premises clean, not to mention crumbling pillars of the place where fish are sold.
‘Meen’ Mani, a fishmonger, said, “The entire market has been like this. We have asked the owners to let us whitewash the walls and fix the plastering on the pillars and tile the floors, but they have clearly stated that no brick on the wall should be removed or replaced because of the case pending in the Madras High Court to divide the market ground among the 200 individual owners.”
There are no proper lighting facilities or toilets for the traders and the customers who visit this hoary marketplace.
“People like me have gone allout to make the surroundings better, if not the best. See that wall which has collapsed in the recent showers. We tried to rebuild it, but the land owners dashed our plan. They say they would take care of it, and not let any one of us tenants touch a brick,” Mani continued,
“Look above, there are tarpaulins and gunnybags serving as the roof. We are exposed to the harsh weather, yet we hang on. Because we take pride in plying our trade here for generations”, said a vendor selling greens on the pathway leading to the fish and mutton stalls.
Not many in the immediate neighbourhood, even those as near as Kothaval Chavadi market, would know how the Seven Wells Market, which was first called as Paracheri Kadai came to be called by this name.
During the British era, seven wells were sunk near the Mint area to supply water to the Fort, which was the seat of power of the Britishers, and that’s how this market, hardly three or four kms away, got its name.
The market has nearly 200 to 250 shops and the owners get an everyday rent ranging from `2 to `50 from each of these make-shift shopkeepers, vendors, florists, butchers, fishmongers and grocers.
Some of the regular shops that run alongside Amman Kovil Street pay `50 as rent. The highest that these merchants pay as fee to use the marketplace doesn’t exceed `50.
Abbas, who is the manager of the Seven Wells Market, said the 10 grounds of land were initially a parking spot that slowly turned into a fish and vegetable market over the years. The market is not a sight to behold, but for the residents in the neighbourhood, this is place to do their shopping for essential items and the local residents know they can strike good deals and get more that what they bargain for, literally.
“Who says the shifting of the fruit and vegetable market at Kothaval Chavadi to Koyambedu has affected the Seven Wells Market. Not at all, there are several vendors, retail and wholesale merchants who have stayed put, considering the low rent that is demanded of them by the owners of this market’, said Abbas.