Neglect of Chalai market may sway votes: Traders

T'puram: With assembly elections ahead, traders at Chalai market have flagged glaring civic issues, including severe congestion, poor drainage, lack of parking and irregular water supply. Traders warned that these long-pending problems could shape voting patterns in one of the city's busiest commercial hubs that support thousands of livelihoods.Despite its significance as a major wholesale and retail centre, the market continues to function with inadequate infrastructure, affecting both business and customer access. Traders said they expect concrete, time-bound measures as persistent civic issues continue to hit livelihoods ahead of the polls.K Murugan, a gold shop owner, said lack of basic facilities is driving customers away and will weigh on voting decisions. "Parking is practically nonexistent here. Customers find it difficult to even stop their vehicles. Water supply is also irregular due to pipeline leakages that have not been repaired for a long time. These issues are affecting our business, and traders will definitely keep them in mind while voting this time," he said.V L Suresh, Chalai unit president of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES), said congestion and poor road conditions remain major concerns and will be a key election issue. "By 10am, the entire market gets choked. Though side roads were repaired under Smart City initiative, the main road remains in poor condition and gets flooded whenever it rains," he said. "The road is heavily congested due to encroachments, and vehicles can barely pass through. Mornings are the busiest time, but it becomes almost a no-entry zone as the arterial road is too narrow," Suresh added.Traders said the market has also witnessed a steady decline in business since the pandemic, with footfall dropping significantly.Suresh said the situation has adversely affected trade. "Business has not been the same since the pandemic. The poor condition of the market is driving customers away. Many traders have shifted to roadside sales as it is more convenient for customers. Footfall inside the market has come down drastically," he said.He added that the heritage street project announced in 2018 to revamp the market is yet to take off and remains on paper.A corporation source said a conservation committee comprising an all-party delegation and experts was constituted as per the state govt's directive, but expert members are yet to be formally appointed. The source added that a parking facility is being planned behind Putharikandam Maidan, while further works, including renovation of old buildings and restructuring of drains, will be taken up in phases.