Gandhi Market traders double down on any move to shift them

Traders at Gandhi Market in Tiruchi resist relocation to new integrated market complex at Panjapur, citing concerns and opposition.

With Tiruchi Corporation pushing ahead with its plans to establish an integrated vegetable and fruit market complex at Panjapur in the city, traders of Gandhi Market in the city have reiterated their disinclination to move out.

The new integrated market is to be established on about 22 acres at Green Park complex in Panjapur at an estimated cost of ₹236 crore, The Corporation has already floated tenders for the project.

Although Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru has assured in the Assembly that Gandhi Market would not be relocated and the Corporation has unveiled a plan to renovate the market at a cost of ₹60 crore, traders are wary of being left with no choice but to move or at least rent shops at the new market once it becomes operational.

The Tiruchi Gandhi Market Anaithu Vyabarigal Sangankalin Kootmaippu (Federation of All Traders Associations of Gandhi Market), after a recent meeting, said that Gandhi Market should continue to function at the same place. The federation, with about 25 traders associations, was floated recently to put forth a united and unanimous stand on issues concerning the market traders.

Speaking to The Hindu, M. K. M. Khader Mideen, president of the federation, who chaired the meeting, said the traders had expressed their reservations about the proposed integrated market buildings at Panjapur at a consultative meeting convened by the Collector in June 2024 and opposed the shifting of Gandhi Market. “However, the Collector said then that it was just a preliminary consultative meeting and elaborate consultations would be held with us later. But so far there has been no consultation with us.”

The shops should meet the requirements of wholesale and retail traders in terms of size and amenities and they should be located only on the ground level, he added.

“We need 25-30 acres for a new market. Although Gandhi Market, built about 90 years ago, is just about 6.15 acres, the vazhakai mandi, vengaiya mandi, fruit merchants and others function on several acres outside the market complex. Unless the new market meets our requirements, we cannot consider moving out. We have decided to purchase a 15-acre site with good road access in the city as a precautionary measure, just in case we are forced to move out of the Gandhi Market,” Mr. Mideen further said.