MADURAI: The annual Chithirai special exhibition at Tamukkam Ground holds a significant and nostalgic place in the minds of people in the district as it is one of the largest entertainment venues that crowds throng during the summer vacation. However, this year, rainwater inundated the makeshift stalls and has been giving a hard time to the shop owners as well as the visitors.
Apart from the stalls set up by various government departments elaborating their work, the exhibition also comprises eateries, entertainment centres, joy rides, and stalls for shopping. However, the space for the exhibition has been shrinking in recent years owing to the construction of corporation convention centres at Tamukkam Ground.
"Earlier, the event was massive and would comprise a huge number of attractions. Now, apart from the government stall, there are only a handful of shopping stalls at the venue. Moreover, the washroom facility is built using old metal sheets, and rainwater often gets stagnated near the entrance," said Pavithra, a Madurai resident.
Ruing that only a small stall built using metal sheets and wooden poles was allotted to him despite paying a hefty rent amount, a shopkeeper, on the condition of anonymity said, "The roof leaks during rainy days and we protect our products using tarpaulins. Also, the shops allotted to self-help groups are hardly seeing any business as they are situated in the far side corner. These issues must be addressed at least by next year." When contacted, senior officials said the unseasonal rain and uneven surface of the venue led to the water stagnation. "Action will soon be taken to solve the stagnation and leaky roof issues," they added.