Nearly a decade after it was conceptualised a wholesale foodgrains complex that will be a one-stop point for all cereals and grains is finally taking shape near the Koyambedu vegetable market.
The CMDA recently floated a tender inviting bids to select a developer for the project and it plans to soon apply to the state government for environmental clearance, say official sources.
The project, aimed at decongesting Kothwalchavadi in Parry’s, was delayed for various reasons but is now gaining momentum, says a senior official.
“Now that the government has made an announcement in the assembly that the project has picked up pace. The tenders were floated a month ago and the construction could begin by the year end,” he adds.
Drawn up by the AIADMK regime in 2003, the plan for the complex was first held up over environmental clearance and then a major chunk of land earmarked for it was allotted to the metro rail by the DMK government that followed.
Later a 15.50-acre site on the right side of the market management committee office was identified for constructing 500 shops, which now awaits a fresh EIA.
Welcoming the move, Tamil Nadu Maligai Vyabarigal Association president, S.P. Soruban, says once the complex is ready all wholesale traders of foodgrain, and of sugar, jaggery, dry chillies, tamarind, coriander and edible oil will have to move to it. “The merchants will not be permitted to operate in any other part of the city,” he said.