Decentralised veg markets, mobile stores big hit among residents

TNN | Mar 31, 2020, 04.39 AM IST

Madurai: Madurai Corporation’s move to decentralise vegetable markets after shifting them from permanent locations to avoid crowding has evoked good response from the residents. The mobile markets launched by the civic body also become a hit among the residents.

“I was about to buy 1kg of tomatoes for Rs 48 from the retailer in my area, when the corporation’s mobile market arrived at the very spot and I was able to buy the same for half the price,” said Santhanagopal of Karpagam Nagar.

The corporation has moved main markets including the Mattuthavani vegetable market and Thayir market to 14 main roads in the four zones of the corporation, where social distancing was better maintained. “I went to the new market for the first time and was relieved to see that there was good distance between me and the next buyer behind me and we were also able to buy things faster,” said Asokan who went to the market near Aavin junction on Monday.

“The vegetable price at the retail market is very high. I can only buy two items including onions and tomatoes for Rs 100 now, and it is difficult because I have not been working for the past few days,” said Arunkumar, a construction worker. He is forced to buy vegetables and groceries on a daily basis, and has to manage all with Rs 150.

People are now eager to know the locations and timings of the mobile markets at their wards. Residents associations have been receiving eager queries in this regard. Corporation sources said that the response to the decentralised markets is encouraging and that they are also managing to control the crowds.