Chennai: As the city goes into a complete curfew from tomorrow until 29 April, residents want to know if Koyambedu market will be functioning to buy essentials such as vegetables and fruits.
This morning, there were serpentine queues before grocery shops, medical stores and ATMs. While many stood for even an hour to get some vegetables, most shops quickly ran out of stock.
Traders and vendors association of Koyambedu has declared holidays, saying only wholesale shops will be functioning.
However, contradicting this, CMDA Member Secretary D Karthikeyan said the market will function as usual. Official sources said, “Wholesale vegetable markets such as Koyambedu will function within appropriate rules. The mobile carts selling vegetables and fruits have also been given permission to function, all other shops will remain closed.”
Community kitchens run by district administration for destitute and social welfare department and local bodies will continue to function. Other than this, restaurants will be allowed to deliver food based on the orders received through phone, reports said..
Government has given permission to essential services such as hospitals, ambulance services, police, revenue, electricity departments and drinking water supply. Government offices such as Secretariat, health and family welfare, revenue and disaster management, electricity, Aavin and local bodies will function only with required staff, reports said. Violators will face stringent action including seizure of vehicles.