The newly inaugurated vegetable market in Woraiyur, Tiruchi, has found no takers among vegetable sellers.
| Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH
More than three months after its inauguration, the newly constructed vegetable market complex in Woraiyur remains unused, with vendors continuing to operate from makeshift stalls along surrounding roads, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to motorists.The market complex, located near CSI Mission Hospital in Woraiyur, was inaugurated in February. However, traders have not yet been shifted to the new facility and continue to conduct business on Panchavarnaswami Temple Street and adjacent roads, where they had been temporarily accommodated during the construction period.Residents and commuters have expressed concern over the continued roadside vending, which has resulted in frequent traffic snarls and haphazard parking of two-wheelers in the area, especially on weekends.Constructed at a cost of ₹4.40 crore, the vegetable and meat market was funded through ₹1.40 crore sanctioned under the Capital Grant Fund 2025–26 and ₹3 crore from the Tiruchi Corporation General Fund 2025–26. The complex houses 76 stalls for vegetable and fruit vendors and nine stalls for meat vendors, with each shop measuring 120 sq. ft.Corporation officials said a tender would soon be floated to lease out the market to a contractor for three years. The lease had been fixed at ₹45.50 lakh, with a security deposit of ₹10 lakh.Meanwhile, CPI councillor K. Sureshkumar has urged the Corporation to closely monitor rent collection. He pointed out that under the previous arrangement, contractors allegedly collected rent higher than the Corporation-prescribed daily rent of ₹100 from vendors.“The civic body should ensure strict enforcement of rent regulations and prevent any excess collection. Similar oversight is needed during temple festivals in the locality when temporary shops are set up, to ensure that vendors are not overcharged,” he said. Published - June 01, 2026 07:28 pm IST
