Chennai, Oct 6:
Clothes merchants in Washermenpet will shut their shops on Tuesday, demanding the removal of street vendors occupying footpaths along MC Road and Gollavar Agaram Road.
The Madras Washermenpet Cut Piece Cloth Merchants’ Association said the traders’ livelihood had been affected by the prolonged construction of the MC Road Pedestrian Plaza. With the project nearing completion, the traders have urged the Greater Chennai Corporation to complete the pending works and address the parking problem.
Association secretary R Mohamed Farook said more than 250 vendors had encroached on the MC Road and GA Road stretches. The traders also sought removal of display boards and shop extensions occupying pedestrian space.
Residents have welcomed the pedestrian plaza but raised concerns over parking and maintenance. GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran said the civic body would hold discussions with traders and vendors. A senior Corporation official said the remaining works were expected to be completed within 15 days and dedicated parking facilities would be arranged near Robinson Park.