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Chennai: The Marina Loop Road market descended into chaos on Sunday as many vendors left their assigned stalls fearing that the stalls in the front row would attract all the customers. They moved to the walkways, entrances and parking lots, disrupting market operations and causing traffic jams
Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has set up more than 330 stalls and 250 of them spread over four rows. On Sunday morning there was an influx of around 200 customers, with vendors reporting a turnover of around 4,500kg of fish by the evening. To attract customers, many who were allocated stalls in the rows behind set their stalls on the ground in front, crowding the market and defeating its purpose.
“They sold fish straight from the floor, amid dust and dirt, ignoring the facilities provided,” said R Ramesh, a citizen activist. “Although water facilities are available in the stables for cleaning, vendors do not use them,” he said.
The traffic noise added to the chaos. “Customers were shocked to see vendors occupying the parking lot and forcing them to park their vehicles on Loop Road outside the market, leading to heavy traffic jams. At one point, about 50-70 meters of the road was completely choked,” said a traffic policeman. .
Meanwhile, 50 weekend-only dry fish vendors, which usually sell near the Light House, are still waiting to be allocated stalls. “We sell fish only on weekends and do not need full-time stalls. If arrangements are made for weekend sales, we will not have to sit on the ground,” said A. Ravi, a dry fish seller. Some vendors also complained that the stalls, which are five feet high, do not provide enough space for their needs.
Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central) KJ Praveen Kumar said, “We are working on creating multiple entry points to make the back rows more accessible to customers. In addition, we are allocating spaces based on daily, weekend and dry fish vending requirements. A special area set up for dry fish sellers.”