Over 200 traders in Coimbatore submitted a petition to the CCMC, seeking permission to continue their Thursday evening market at the Gandhimanagar playground. The CCMC recently barred trading at the site, affecting livelihoods.
Coimbatore: Over 200 traders have petitioned the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) to allow them to continue their weekly market at the corporation playground in Gandhimanagar. The civic body recently prohibited trading at the site, which has been a bustling market every Thursday evening for over a decade.
The ban has severely impacted the livelihoods of more than 200 traders who have been operating at the playground. In response, they submitted a petition to the CCMC on Wednesday, urging the civic body to reconsider its decision and permit them to resume their trading activities.
The traders argue that their market has not caused any inconvenience to the public and stress that it is crucial for their sustenance. A. Murugesan, a vegetable vendor who has been selling at the market for eight years, said, "The weekly market is our lifeline. None of the residents or sports enthusiasts have raised any objections to our presence. This market not only supports our families but also serves the local community with fresh produce and other goods."
Approximately 250 people trade at the playground every Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm. Despite operating only once a week in the evenings, the restrictions imposed by the civic body have significantly affected the traders' livelihoods.
CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran stated, "The land belongs to the CCMC, and no one can claim rights over it. It doesn't matter how many years one was using the CCMC's land. They can't encroach on it and carry out trade without proper permission. We shall check the petition submitted by the traders and then take a final call later."
The CCMC is yet to decide on the petition, leaving the traders in a state of uncertainty as they await a swift resolution to protect their source of income.
The ban has severely impacted the livelihoods of more than 200 traders who have been operating at the playground. In response, they submitted a petition to the CCMC on Wednesday, urging the civic body to reconsider its decision and permit them to resume their trading activities.
The traders argue that their market has not caused any inconvenience to the public and stress that it is crucial for their sustenance. A. Murugesan, a vegetable vendor who has been selling at the market for eight years, said, "The weekly market is our lifeline. None of the residents or sports enthusiasts have raised any objections to our presence. This market not only supports our families but also serves the local community with fresh produce and other goods."
Approximately 250 people trade at the playground every Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm. Despite operating only once a week in the evenings, the restrictions imposed by the civic body have significantly affected the traders' livelihoods.
CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran stated, "The land belongs to the CCMC, and no one can claim rights over it. It doesn't matter how many years one was using the CCMC's land. They can't encroach on it and carry out trade without proper permission. We shall check the petition submitted by the traders and then take a final call later."
The CCMC is yet to decide on the petition, leaving the traders in a state of uncertainty as they await a swift resolution to protect their source of income.