In order to ease traffic congestion on Koyambedu market road, the government is looking to dusting off a shelved project connecting Poonamallee High Road (NH4) and Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex ‘A’ Road.
The plan for the 80 feet wide road was proposed in 2013 and was shelved over the cost of land acquisition and sources say it is likely to be revived. It was planned after the closure of Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex’s ‘F’ and ‘G’ road, which is now converted into Chennai Metro Rail depot after taking over the possession of 30 hectares of land from CMDA.
Sources in Chennai Metro said in order to ease congestion on the market road which is now used by private and government buses other than the huge trucks supplying goods to the market, there is a plan to link the ‘A’ road with the Poonammallee High road link.
Sources say that there are initial talks going on to revive the project. Traders too feel the road would reduce the congestion on the market road which is chaotic during the early morning trade. It has also been giving nightmares to residents.
Chennai’s pride but traders’ trouble
Meanwhile, traders are pointing accusing fingers at CMDA stating that even though they pay taxes worth crores of rupees, the Koyambedu complex and surrounding areas lack basic facilities like decent roads, drinking water, proper toilets and medical amenities.
They say they are not aware of where the humongous amount of money goes. A trader said, “The huge Koyambedu market may be one of Chennai’s biggest landmark, but when it comes to infrastructure, the ground reality is very different. The decade-old market complex received heavy footfalls on a daily basis, but it lacks even basic amenities.”
According to traders, the market houses over 3,000 shops where vegetables, flowers and fruits are sold and hundreds of lorries reach Koyambedu every day and the market is busy 24/7.
“Facilities like drinking water, toilets and parking are missing and roads in the premises are in poor condition. If there is a heavy rain, the roof leaks, water seeps in through the floor and the entire area is a mess,” the traders complained.