GCDA market makes a home for miscreants

KOCHI: Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GDCA) market complex near Manappattiparambu at Kaloor has turned out to be the hub for anti-social elements, especially during the night time. The market, that was inaugurated in 2000, is at present in an abandoned state. The complex has already turned into a garbage dumping spot and now has become migrants’ temporary shelter. The cattle brought to Kaloor slaughter house are also tied here during the night. The residents in the area have already raised complaints against the bad state of the market. Only a few shops are functioning at the complex now, of which five are meat shops that are opened only during the day time. The market complex does not have a security guard making it appropriate place for anti-social elements, especially in the night time.“Nobody knows what happens inside the building at night. We have found many suspicious looking people frequenting the complex,” said one of the shop owners. The market was actually built to shift the private market near Deshabhimani Junction to Kaloor. However, the plan did not materialise as there were no takers for the shops. GCDA had also planned to renovate the old building complex but the contractor left the work halfway.