Corpn may allow mobile veg shops from Monday
With stricter lockdown measures coming in place, the Greater Chennai Corporation is mulling whether to allow tricycles and pushcarts so that residents get vegetables at their doorstep.
A senior Corporation official said that the Horticulture Department is devising a plan to ensure adequate supply of vegetables to the people. “Also, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) that manages the Koyambedu Wholesale Market, is working on supplying vegetables during the complete lockdown period,” the official said.
When asked whether the civic body would allow mobile grocery shops, the official said that allowing pushcarts and tricycles to sell vegetables is under consideration; however, a final decision would be announced by Sunday.
Meanwhile, vendors in the city increased the prices of vegetables soon after the new lockdown restrictions were announced. Residents complained that the prices were increased by over five times. “Koyambedu market is closed on Sundays. As the government allowed opening of the market this Sunday, there would be insufficient supply. Farmers cannot harvest their produce and send them to the market on such short notice,” a Koyambedu vendor said. The CMDA, along with Koyambedu vendors, launched an initiative for door delivery of vegetables and fruits during the 2020 lockdown. On the other hand, the civic body allowed scrap dealers and others, who own tricycles, to sell vegetables on streets. Small motor vehicles were allowed to sell grocery items. More than 5,000 tricycles and 2,000 small vehicles were allowed.