Koyambedu flower traders urge govt to open alternative space for business

Chennai

After the flower market was closed, some of the vendors were given alternative space at Madhavaram bus terminus, while many remain out of business.

“There are more than 450 flower shops in the market. The officials said that they would allow only 30 shops to function at Madhavaram. We requested them to permit at least 100 shops because we are struggling without income. Only the flower market is left without business as there is an alternative place for vegetable and fruit traders. We hope that the government will provide a place at Koyambedu market soon,” said S Mookaiyan, Secretary of Koyambedu Flower Merchants Association.

Mookaiyan added that officials were open to options like Chrompet, Pallavaram and Tiruvanmiyur but this will mean that they lose customers from Parry’s flower bazaar from North Chennai. "Without them, we can't hope to seel even 10 per cent of the flowers,” said Mookaiyan.

There are more than 2,000 employees in the flower market. “I have worked for more than 22 years. If I don’t earn, my family would starve,” said L Elappan, an employee.

Many employees said that they have been working at the flower market for more than 20 years and never have they faced such a situation before. They are urging the government to reopen Koyambedu market or provide them with an alternative space to resume business.

A senior Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority official said, “Discussion over an alternative space is in progress and we are searching for places where vendors would be comfortable."