Threats of the coronavirus pandemic spread again Koyambedu wholesale market?
Posted on: 14/Oct/2020 12:44:10 PM
The Koyambedu wholesale vegetable/fruit/flower market in Chennai Metro City was reopened after a break of 5 months during which it remained closed as a preventive measure against the spread of the raging coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, there is information in the circles that there is a danger of the coronavirus pandemic all over again! However, the traders in this huge wholesale market have assessed that the spread of the coronavirus has not been due to the traders!
Earlier, 5 months ago, as the spread of the coronavirus was raging, the Koyambedu wholesale market was closed from 5th May as thousands of people gather in the pace for various activities! Subsequently, the wholesale vegetable market was shifted to Thirumazhisai, the wholesale fruit market was shifted to Vaanagaram and the wholesale flower market was shifted to Madhavaram. After a break of 5 months, the Koyambedu foodgrains market reopened on 18th September and the vegetable market resumed on28th September. The Chennai Metropolis Development Authority (CMDA) announced that out of the total of 1980 shops in the Koyambedu wholesale market for vegetables, flowers, and fruits, only 200 shops will be allowed to open for wholesale selling.
The vehicles delivering the vegetables, fruits and flowers from the various states and other districts in Tamil Nadu were allowed to operate from 11.00 PM to 5.00 AM. The retail traders were allowed to function from 3.00 AM to 11.00 AM. Severe restrictions were imposed on the traders as well as the operation of the goods vehicles. Identity Cards were issued to the traders and staff working in the complex.
Threats of coronavirus again?! From 18th September, the reopening day, daily checking was done for coronavirus infection on the Koyambedu wholesale market traders, staff and the visiting retail traders. Over the last 2 weeks, 50 persons have been confirmed with the coronavirus infection! These persons were admitted to the hospitals.
This development has led to severe anxiety among the traders as well as the public whether this may lead to another raging spread of the coronavirus pandemic! The persons from the Traders’ Association have informed that the coronavirus did not spread to the local persons here.
Traders not responsible and not to be blamed!
In this regard, the administrators of the Koyambedu wholesale traders’ Association including Rajasekar, Soundararajan, and Thiagarajan informed:
“The Koyambedu wholesales vegetable, fruits and flower market has been meeting the demands from the pubic of more than 60 lakhs persons from 25 Lakhs families over the last 25 years! As it was being stated that this market serves as a coronavirus spreading centre, both the traders and the public had to encounter severe hardships! In this scenario, the rounds of the information have started again that the coronavirus spreads through the Koyambedu wholesale traders!
Over the tests undertaken in the last 22 days, it is found that only 1.5%, that is, from 40 to 50 persons, have been confirmed with coronavirus infection. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERSONS INFECTED ARE NOT TRADERS! They were visitors who were traders from other places. With the panic created from the above spreading false rumour, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LILIFELINES OF THE TRADERS WOULD BE JEOPARDISED AGAIN!
Good degree of ventilation and sufficient inter-personal gap
Let us reassure that as compared to the wholesale markets in cities such as Hyderabad, Patna, Ahmadabad, New Delhi, etc., the Chennai Metro City Koyambedu wholesale vegetable/fruit/flower market is far safer! This market’s structure is excellently designed! Ventilation is also good – more than sufficient! Usually, 3940 vegetable4, fruit, and flower shops were functioning here – now ony200 shops have been permitted to open! In this place where 20000 trade4rs and staff were functioning, presently not more than 1500 are employed!
Hence, we appeal to the public and all concerned that they should not believe various false information under circulation and giving due consideration of the lifelines of the traders, the State Government of Tami Nadu and the CMDA should take immediate action to restore normal operations!
