Bumpy rides to Koyambedu Market to end

CHENNAI: Hopefully, there won’t be any bumpy rides to Koyambedu market after April this year. That’s because work on laying of concrete roads is expected to get over by then. Chief Administrative Officer of Market Management Committee (MMC) P Senthil Kumar told City Express on Tuesday that the work on laying of concrete roads, under the `33-crore infrastructure development fund, is expected to be completed by this April.The work is progressing in A, C and E roads. “We are taking one half of the road at a time. In C road, one portion is complete. The work in A road is 80 per cent complete, while 50 per cent of E road or link road is being over taken by Chennai Metro Rail. It will be building a truck bay and the road,” he said.But traders like M Thiyagarajan, who is into the tomato wholesale business  and who is also the president of the Chennai Koyambedu Periyar Market Takali Vyaparigal Sangam, says he feels that work should be speeded up.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services (TNUIFSL) has launched a study on improvement of market infrastructure.The study, which was started a month ago, will focus on augmentation of revenue and improvement of market infrastructure, said Kumar.He also said there were plans to build dormitories for market workers and those coming from outside following demands from the traders. “We are identifying land for the purpose,” he said.MMC is also launching a clean-up drive in the market and is installing 38 boards in different parts of the market. The boards urge the traders to keep the market clean.Similarly, MMC is planning to look for an alternative for healthcare for Koyambedu market. “Appasamy Hospital was providing us with First Aid but now traders wants 24-hour healthcare. We are looking for an alternative,” said Kumar.To a query over delay in operating the truck terminal near Koyambedu market, Kumar said it is due to the lack of Common Facility building. “Tenders have been floated. There are also plans to have a parking space for Koyambedu market,” he said.