Rents of stalls increased manifold at Pallavaram market, vendors lament

The market, famous for functioning from the pre-independence era and its affordability of products, have people from different parts of the city, and even state, come here to set up stalls.

However, the future ofthe vendors, who offer affordable products is under question, as the rent of each stall hasbeen increased to Rs 600 from Rs 100-150 per day. While the parking charge was Rs 10 earlier,it has also been increasedto Rs 50.

Stating that the vendors are forced to give a major chunk of their profit margin as rent, a shopkeeper, on the condition of anonymity, said, “I sell small plastic products in the market and the total sale will only be around Rs 700-1,000. At the end of the day, the contractors are asking me to pay Rs 600, which is unfair, and if this continues, I would have to stop coming to Pallavaram market.”

The increased parking charge is discouraging customers from coming here. Several regular customers have stopped frequenting the market and the public, who visit the market, complained that no receipt is provided for the collected parking charges. They also said that even if they get the receipt, it does not carry a date on it.

The public demanded that fixed rates regarding the rent and parking should be displayed at the entrance of the market so that it would be clear to everyone.

When contacted, Pallavaram cantonment board vice President D Thenraja said, “We are looking into the issue and steps will be taken accordingly.”