TN planning to tap solar power for Koyambedu market

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

In a major green initiative, the state government is exploring the possibility of tapping solar power for Asia’s largest perishable goods wholesale market.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Phanindra Reddy told Express that Housing and Urban Development Minister R Vaithilingam is keen on exploring solar energy for Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as well as Tamil Nadu Housing Board buildings.

Currently, talks are going on with Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency in this regard, the official said. It is believed that Koyambedu market could have solar lamps once the initiative gets the green signal.

Meanwhile, Vaithilingam along with Chennai mayor Saidai Duraiswamy planted saplings near the flower market. The drive to plant 1,000 saplings is part of the initiative to redevelop the market, which also includes landscaping, construction of compound wall around the market and rainwater harvesting.

CMDA sources also said efforts are also on to build a compound wall for the complex and a tender has already been floated for the Rs 2.2 crore initiative.

There are also plans to concrete the open area between flower market and fruit market and tenders worth have been floated for the Rs 4 crore initiative.

Interestingly, CCTVs are also planned to be set up across the market complex. Sources said the estimates are already over.

However, the garbage problem and lack of water as well as bathroom facilities are some of the major issues still plaguing the market. Traders also complained about the illegal parking by omni bus owners which affects the movement of vehicles.

Sources said the work to develop the Omni bus stand opposite to Koyambedu market is going on and a four acre of land has already been identified.

Sources also said one acre of land behind the flower market has been identified for processing the garbage from the market. Interestingly, MMC officials say that although CMDA has allotted a land, acquired by it in the 1980s from Tamil Nadu Housing Board for vermin-compost, separation of garbage for the nearby bio-methanation plant as well as banana stem process, it could hardly be put into use due to a court battle over the rights of the land.

Meanwhile, traders also brought to light the lack of water in Koyambedu market. CMDA officials said the market is without water as the traders have yet to pay dues to Metro Water which has cut its connection. “The issue could be sorted out through discussions with Metro Water as well as traders who should be willing to pay their dues,” a senior CMDA official said.