The Coimbatore Corporation and flower merchants are looking at options to renovate the old flower market here. According to the flower market merchants, the old market had 28 stalls and 144 platform shops. They were "temporarily" relocated to a nearby new market. "We still have to pay rent for the old market," as per a trader.
"There are so many traders now occupying space in front of the market, and many of those who had shops in the old market no longer have shops in the new market," one of the traders explained.
The merchants met with Corporation officials and requested that the old market be renovated so that they can return to it. Under the Smart Cities project, there were initial plans to renovate the old market.
The traders have now stated that the market only requires proper roofing and flooring in order for them to relocate. One of the suggestions is to renovate under the 'Namakku Naame' scheme. The traders have also requested that the Corporation begin the work within 1 crore so that it can be completed as soon as possible, according to the trader.
When the number of pandemic cases increased in 2020, the shops were closed and the traders were given temporary shops in a different locations. Many flower merchants have now spread to places like Karumathampatti, Kalapatti, and Ganapathi. The traders want to return to the old facility in order to maintain trade at the wholesale flower market, he said.
As per M. Prathap, Corporation Commissioner, the civic body planned to renovate the old flower market because the current location is overcrowded. The estimates and design for renovating the old market are being worked on, and it will be funded through the 'Namakku Naame' scheme.
The project is expected to cost around Rs 1.2 crore, with traders agreeing to contribute 33 percent and the Corporation contributing the rest, he said. The civic body will issue tenders after finalising the details.
