Roadside vendors cause traffic congestion outside Hasthampatti uzhavar sandhai | Salem News

SALEM: Traffic congestion is a regular feature outside the Hasthampatti uzhavar sandhai (farmers market) in Salem as people coming to the market and others are forced to park their vehicles on the Kannankurichi Road as the roadsides are occupied by vendors.Around 50 farmers are selling their produce in the uzhavar sandhai while more than 100 vendors are selling vegetables on the roadsides in front of the market.Social activist Poomozhi stated that as per the state govt notification, outsiders should not be permitted to sell agricultural produce within a radius of 100 metres from an uzhavar sandhai. “But this order was not implemented by the officials concerned,” he said. The farmers selling vegetables in the uzhavar sandhai said their business had been badly affected by roadside vendors.S Deena of Hasthampatti said the market saw a large number of people between 6am and 10am. “As shops occupied the space outside the market, the public parked their vehicles on the roads, reducing the motorable area in the road,” he said. “Traffic congestion is very high between 8am and 9.30am when more than 100 school and college buses use the road. If the encroachers are removed, the public will be able to park their vehicles on the roadside. It will provide space for free flow of traffic. The police and departments concerned should ensure this,” he said.When contacted by TOI, the Salem city police said they would take necessary action.