Labourers to get night shelter at Koyambedu market

According to a CMDA official, the facility would cost around Rs 1.18 crore. “In addition to the night shelter, a restaurant will be built inside the premises for the benefit of labourers,” the official said.

He added that the project was first announced in the State Assembly and now, tenders have been floated for the project.

Currently, several labourers come to the market in lorries that carry vegetables to work as loadmen. As there is no place allotted for them, they stay outside or sometimes sleep in the lorry itself.

“Once the potential bidder finalises, the construction will commence. Tenders will be finalised within this month,” the official added.

The upcoming night shelter would be first of its kind developed by the planning authority. Besides, the Greater Chennai Corporation maintains as many as 50 night shelters to accommodate homeless and relatives of patients admitted to major government hospitals.

Apart from the existing night shelters, the civic body has also proposed 33 new night shelters and tenders have been floated to identify eligible bidder.