Integrated vegetable and grocery market at Solar in Erode expected to be ready in a year

Erode Corporation building ₹18.48-crore integrated vegetable and grocery market at Solar to accommodate 794 shops, easing traffic congestion.

The Erode Corporation plans to complete the ₹18.48-crore integrated vegetable and grocery market at Solar here in a year.

The shops that were operating at the Nethaji Vegetable and Fruit Market Complex on R.K.V. Road in Erode city were relocated to the V.O.C. Park ground premises in 2020 during the pandemic due to space constraints. The old market complex was subsequently demolished, and a new facility with 268 shops was constructed at ₹29.85 crore. However, since the new complex could not accommodate more than 700 traders, the civic body proposed the construction of an integrated market at Solar. The project was announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 13, 2024, and the foundation was laid during his visit to Erode on December 20, 2024.

Preliminary work began in January this year to construct the market near the existing Animal Birth Control centre at the rear of the Satellite Bus Stand. The buildings were constructed in three modules — the first with 702 shops, the second with 32 shops, and the third with 60 shops. The market would also include four godowns for storing fruits and vegetables, four for groceries, four for rice, and 1.46 acres of parking space for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. In total, the market will span 4,22,532 sq. ft. and house 794 shops, with a built-up area of 8,909.4 sq. m.

A senior Corporation official told The Hindu the work has been scheduled for completion in 12 months.

The official added that the market would cater to the needs of traders, farmers, and the public, and would pave the way for overall development. Once the market became operational, it was expected to ease traffic congestion within the city, as vegetable-laden vehicles would no longer need to enter the city.