We pay taxes, yet no facilities: Koyambedu traders

According to traders, the market has no proper lighting facilities, a haven for stray cattle as there is no system to remove the huge quantity of vegetable waste generated in the market.

“The vegetable waste creates foul smell and it is not healthy. There should be a waste disposal system,” said K Nathan, a small vegetable vendor, who regularly purchases vegetables from the market.

“We can boast that Koyambedu is one of Asia’s biggest markets, but the infrastructure is poor. The market has become an eyesore with some of the area is even used for open defecation and it is used by anti-social elements in the night for activities like drinking,” said a trader in Koyambedu. VR Soundararajan, president of Wholesale Traders Association

and member of Market Management Committee, stated that since 2006, the vendors have paid asset tax to a tune of Rs 7.26 crore. “But, we are at the receiving end.

Even though we have been complaining about such issues to the GCC, there are no measures taken. We need drinking water, lighting, hospital and ambulance services,” he said.

“During rainy season, rainwater enters the market complex so that there should be proper stormwater drainage system,” he added.

When contacted, a senior corporation official said, “We will look into the matter. The complaints of traders will be considered and we will soon conduct an inspection.”