Security firm blamed for encroachment in Koyambedu market

Chennai:

The failure to act against encroachment in Koyambedu Wholesale Market is due to the previous security service firm whose contract has been terminated, according to Market management Committee sources.

Sources said that the security firm failed to remove encroachment in the market complex besides allowing unlicensed vendors and beggars into the market.

When Express contacted traders, they alleged that the condition of the market had been deteriorating with encroachment of service lanes ever since the market came up in 1996.

“It has always been the courts which has to intervene to make the officials work. The officials who have failed to perform their duty should be accountable. They conduct raids but the encroachments are back again,” allege traders.

Interestingly, as per agreement conditions, a security firm engages 31 security personnel per shift for three shift security arrangement and 20 security personnel for night shift to regulate traffic during the night.

The security service firm has to prevent entry of cattle or stray animals inside the market and garbage transfer station. They should also stop entry of unauthorised personnel like beggars, unlicensed vendors, alcoholics besides prevent unauthorised vending within complex area and all roads belonging to market complex.

They should also not permit entry or exit of construction materials within the market without the consent of MMC officials. However, some of MMC officials have been lenient in allowing the traders to alter the market plan, allege traders.

The failure to act against encroachment is attributed to the previous security service firm whose contract has been terminated. Sources said that they failed to remove encroachment in the market complex besides allowing unlicensed vendors and beggars into the market.

Traders alleged that the condition of the market had been deteriorating with encroachment of service lanes ever since the market came up in 1996.

 

“It has always been the courts which has to intervene to make the officials work. The officials who have failed to perform their duty should be accountable. They conduct raids but the encroachments are back again,” alleged a trader.

Interestingly, as per agreement conditions, a  Security firm engages 31 security personnel per shift for three shift security arrangement and 20 security personnel for night shift to regulate traffic during the night.

The security service firm has to prevent entry of cattle or stray animals inside the market and garbage transfer station. They should also stop entry of unauthorised personnel like beggars, unlicensed vendors, alcoholics besides prevent unauthorised vending within complex area and all roads belonging to market complex.

They should also not permit entry or exit of construction materials within the market without the consent of MMC officials. However, some of MMC officials have been lenient in allowing the traders to alter the market plan, allege traders.