Loop road still encroached as vendors stay off new market

Chennai: Scores of roadside fish vendors encroaching the Loop Road in Pattinapakkam continued to occupy the road, refusing to move into the new state-of-the art market. Noting that around 40 of the vendors are still outside, GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said, "If the rest of the vendors do not occupy the market soon, we will have to use force."Chief minister M K Stalin inaugurated the two-acre fish market, built at a cost of 15 crore, in Aug 2024. It has 360 stalls, parking facilities for 100 cars and 40 two-wheelers, drinking water and toilet amenities, a 40 kilo litre/day sewage treatment plant, and a space to clean and slice fish."At least 284 out of 360 Loop Road squatters have been allotted shops, and almost 160 vendors have started selling fish there," said GCC regional deputy commissioner (central) K J Praveen Kumar.As for those continuing to encroach the Loop Road, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) issued another ultimatum, saying: "They shall clear the encroachments by night or face eviction." However, as many vendors remained on the roadside opposite the beach on Saturday afternoon, GCC officials continued to negotiate their relocation into the market."They want slanting boards to display fish, broader and lower ceilings to protect the fish from rain and shine, and additional cold storage boxes," said the commissioner.Madras high court ordered GCC to evict encroachments on Loop Road in April 2023 citing the congestion caused by the vendors occupying sidewalks. This led GCC to building a market to relocate them from Loop Road .
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