The Vellore Corporation has commenced desilting and reconstruction of old, dilapidated stormwater drains inside the British-era Netaji wholesale market, located opposite to fort complex, to prevent inundation during monsoon.
Corporation officials said that the existing Netaji wholesale market, which is 1.5 acres, has 982 shops including 282 retail outlets. The market was built in 1868, two years after the Vellore Municipality was established in 1866.
In its early days, the market had only 200 stalls before more shops were added over the years. “Old drains inside the market were not desilted for many years. Apart from desilt work, Corporation will also reconstruct damaged drains at identified spots in the market to prevent inundation,” R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.
The market got its name after office bearers of Vellore Town Vegetable Merchants Association decided to name it after the freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in the 1960s. The market is a lifeline for residents within Corporation limits that covers 60 wards with a population of over 10 lakh persons.
Every day, on an average, 80-100 lorries from neighbouring States like A.P, Karnataka, Maharashtra come to the market to unload essential items. “The desilt and repair of drains inside the market is a welcome measure. Earlier, many shops in the market used to shut shops during heavy rains as the facility will be waterlogged,” said P. Gnanavel, president, Vellore All Traders Association.
