Eco-friendly Vegetable Market yields less profit

By Sachin Jose

IN VAIN: The Eco-friendly Vegetable Market has only a few takers.

KOTTAYAM: The municipality's decision to move the vendors at the Old Market to the Kodimatha Eco-friendly Vegetable Market has proved to be a gaffe as they claim to be running on loss.

     The building at Old Market was demolished two years ago and the shopkeepers were shifted in order to build a parking space to reduce the traffic snarls in the town. However, there are fewer takers at Kodimatha as it is situated at the outskirts compared to the old one in the heart of the town.

    CH Enterprises owner C Habeeb said, "We were making profit at the Old Market, but here people hardly come as it is at one remote corner of the town. Three of our fellow shopkeepers has left as they couldn't afford the rent."

     Also, MAB Vegetables employee Joby Joseph pointed out, "Two wholesale shops are still running at Old Market and customers go there due to proximity. Unless and until they come here, we shall not benefit."

     But, NN Khaleel, one of the remaining wholesalers at the Old Market, retorted those at the Kodimatha market are unwilling to let him along with another one to join them as they fear of losing business further. "We are ready to shift if the municipality is able to provide us with the same facilties we have now."

     However, Municipal Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar clarified that some of them have falsely claimed to be running on loss as an excuse of not paying the rent. "At present, the business is idle as the bus services are terminated along the road linking Kodimatha and Market Junction due to construction. Once the bus services are rescheduled, the dip in the influx of customers will be levelled."

     PWD Executive Engineer Vincent George the road construction will be completed "soon," but refused to go into further details.