Uncleared vegetable waste, congestion irk vendors and customers alike at Rajaji market

The Rajaji market in Kancheepuram has been functioning since 1933. There are more than 500 shops in the market, of which half of them sell fruits and vegetables. Many customers from Walajabad, Uthiramerur, Sriperumbudur, and Sunguvachatiram would come to the market to buy them in wholesale instead of travelling all the way to Koyambedu.

Besides vegetables from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh that are brought here, farmers from the surrounding villages, too, sell their freshly grown vegetables at the market.

However, despite the market being frequented by hundreds of people, it is maintained very poorly, said traders and customers alike. The whole area is littered vegetable waste, making it difficult for people to even walk.

Savithri from Uthirimerur owns a hotel, for which she buys vegetables every day. She is a daily visitor to the market to buy them. “Earlier, everything was good there. But now, due to lack of maintenance, I hesitate to go there” she said.

According to customers, most vendors are using their shops only to store the good, while they encroach the pathway to set up their stalls. “As a result, people are unable to walk properly due to lack of space,” said a regular visitor.

Also, there are only six waste bins placed in the market, which is inadequate. “We have asked the municipality to place a few more bins and maintain the place neatly, but no steps were taken so far,” said a vendor

When contacted, Kancheepuram health officer Dr M Muthu said, “The vendors are not using the bins properly. We have asked them to segregate the waste before dumping them but they are not following it. We have planned to hold a meeting with the vendors.”