Traders picket Corporation office over shifting of Palayam market

Standoff between traders and Kozhikode Corporation over market relocation escalates, leading to arrests and protests. Stakeholders demand fair consideration.

The standoff between traders at the Palayam vegetable market and the Kozhikode Corporation over the shifting of the market to Kalluthankadavu escalated on Tuesday (May 6), with traders and workers taking out a march to the Corporation office and picketing it. Hundreds participated in the march, which began at Palayam at 8 a.m. Around 600 of them were arrested and removed later.

The Corporation’s move is expected to improve the market’s facilities and address traffic congestion in Palayam.

District general secretary of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, V. Sunil Kumar, inaugurated the picketing, while K. Rajeev, district president of the INTUC; N.K.C. Basheer, district president of the STU; and V.V. Rajeev, district president of the BMS, spoke at the event.

A.T. Abdu, convenor of the Coordination Committee, in his address, pointed out that the relocation of the market from Palayam to Kalluthankadavu would affect the livelihood of around 5,000 families.

P.K. Krishnadas, chairman of the Committee, in his presidential address, alleged that the Corporation was not even ready for a proper discussion with the traders. He said that the Corporation’s relocation plan only accounted for the 140 vendors operating out of its own building at Palayam. However, many more shops make up the market, including those in private buildings and on street carts. The Coordination Committee maintained that they were ready to shift to Kalluthankadavu only if the Corporation considered all stakeholders.

The relocation of the market has been a sore subject ever since the Corporation first proposed it a decade ago. The multi-storied market building constructed on the banks of the Conolly Canal at Kalluthankadavu can accommodate over 300 shops. However, the fact that it is a private venture and the high rent demanded have been major concerns for vendors. They have also argued that moving away from the Palayam bus stand would adversely impact their business.

Mr. Abdu said the Committee was awaiting a response from the Corporation to Tuesday’s protest and that their future course of action would depend on it.