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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tensions rise as corp evicts traders, demolishes shops
T'puram: Tensions rose at the century-old Connemara Market at Palayam where corporation staff evicted traders and demolished about 25 shops with the help of a large police force on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the traders, corporation staff threw out articles from the shops. The owners shut their shops and raised slogans against the civic authorities for demolishing operational shops without ensuring proper rehabilitation. Corporation's move is part of a Rs 55-crore redevelopment project under Smart City Mission to modernise the market's infrastructure. However, traders allege that the demolition violates the high court order mandating adequate safety and infrastructure at temporary resettlement sites before any eviction. "We resisted corporation's attempt. As there were 200 policemen we couldn't oppose it, and they demolished the shops. It is a cruel act by the corporation. However, we will approach the court again. We won't move into the new facility," said Palayam Connemara Merchants Association secretary Rajas J. The merchants' association organised a shutdown of all shops and led a march, joined by families and supporters, to the corporation office. The corporation, along with Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida), constructed a temporary facility behind the existing market to house vendors during the redevelopment. These consist of three prefabricated blocks, designed to accommodate up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. However, several traders claim they haven't been allotted their new spaces yet. Traders are firm in their refusal to relocate until all safety and infrastructure concerns are addressed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a senior official, the corporation has to complete acquisition proceedings. "Though we issued directives several times, they didn't relocate. Hence, we had to do it forcefully. However, all traders will be rehabilitated properly," he said. Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president and national secretary S S Manoj strongly condemned city corporation's move. He called the act inhumane and lawless, saying only those devoid of empathy and legal respect could execute such an operation. Despite assurances to the court and traders, four police vehicles accompanied by corporation-appointed workers arrived to raze operating shops without ensuring safe relocation, he said. This was the final attempt to forcefully evict traders into a new building that neither meets safety standards nor complies with court-ordered conditions, Manoj alleged. Using forged affidavits to mislead courts and compromising the safety of traders and consumers is completely unacceptable, he added.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
High rentals deter small businesses away from Trida's new building
Thiruvananthapuram: Once envisioned as a bustling hub to decongest the state capital's traditional markets, 's (Trida) 'Soubhagya' commercial complex has turned into a silent symbol of missed opportunities and poor execution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Built at a cost of Rs 15 crore and completed in 2021, the building now stands deserted and deteriorating. Many small-scale traders and business owners have blamed unaffordable rent rates for the building's vacancy. "I was genuinely interested in opening a boutique there," said Renjith Balasubramaniam, a business owner from Karamana. "But the monthly rent was nearly double what I pay in the heart of the city. It didn't make financial sense," he said. Shihab M, who runs a mobile accessories chain, shared a similar experience. "We completed preliminary paperwork but backed out after seeing the final rental terms. Trida seems out of touch with market realities, especially after Covid-19. Businesses are still recovering," he said. Today, the building lies abandoned, a haven for reptiles and a hideout for anti-social elements, according to local residents. Trida chairman K C Vikraman acknowledged the concerns. "The top floor has yet to receive city corporation's permit, and that has impacted occupancy. But some shops have been rented out. Once we get the necessary permissions, we will take steps to operationalise the complex," he said. However, he didn't provide any explanation for the three-year delay in making the building functional. Meanwhile, a senior city corporation official offered a different version. "We haven't received any applications from Trida for occupancy permits. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If they submit one, we will consider it," said the official, indicating a possible communication gap or procedural lapse. Adding to the woes, plans to utilise the remaining land for truck parking also remain unrealised, further diminishing the project's utility. Spread across 5.5 acres at Erumakuzhy along Killipalam-Attakulangara road, the Soubhagya complex was designed to accommodate around 60 shops and offices. Its primary goal was to shift part of the away from the overcrowded Chalai market, in line with the city's 1971 master plan. However, despite its strategic intent and modern infrastructure, the complex completely failed to attract tenants. Prior to Soubhagya's construction, the land was used as a dumping ground. City corporation cleared the waste and encouraged Trida to utilise the space productively. Inspired by the Kedaram and Saphalyam complexes, Trida went ahead with the Soubhagya model, but execution has lagged far behind expectations. Corporation has set up a lush garden 'Sanmathi Udyanam' close to the building. Earlier, department of fire and rescue services had identified Soubhagya's land for setting up a mini fire station. However, it didn't materialise.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Corp to call meet on traders' rehab
T'puram: City corporation failed to end the deadlock over a section of traders protesting against the rehabilitation of traders to the new temporary facility behind the Palayam Connemara Market as part of the market revamp project . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The civic body will call a meeting soon with the traders to reassure them and ensure that all traders are shifted to new facility without causing them difficulty. A total of 360 traders need to be relocated, of which fewer than 100 traders still need an electricity connection at the temporary facility. Palayam ward councillor Palayam Rajan expressed disappointment over the delay but remained optimistic that the issue could be resolved through dialogue. "The new temporary facility was constructed with all necessary amenities in mind. We understand the concerns of traders, but this revamp is essential. We are trying our best to address issues like the electricity connection for the remaining few. Corporation will soon call a meeting and ensure all 460 traders are relocated," he said. The civic body said that market redevelopment is long overdue and necessary to address sanitation, safety and structural concerns at the decades-old Connemara Market. The temporary facility was set up to ensure uninterrupted business for traders during the construction phase of the new market complex. The Rs 55-crore market redevelopment project, being executed by RDS Projects Ltd under the Smart City Mission, was expected to begin by March 31, 2025. However, the delay created financial and administrative complications, with additional funds now needed to proceed. The temporary facilities, jointly set up by the city corporation and Trida, consist of three prefabricated rehabilitation blocks made from high-quality steel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Designed for ease of dismantling post-construction, they can house up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. While most of the market will undergo significant changes, authorities have decided to retain the historic main gate, which holds cultural significance as a symbol of the erstwhile Travancore. The revamp of Palayam Market has been in the pipeline for over a decade.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trida promises basic revamp for Kedaram complex in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kedaram Shopping Complex at Kesavadasapuram Junction, once a bustling retail hub in Thiruvananthapuram, is set to undergo long-overdue renovations. Established in 1994, the complex has fallen into disrepair over the decades, with declining footfall, poor infrastructure, and neglected maintenance prompting calls for urgent intervention. The Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority ( Trida ) on Tuesday met with traders to discuss a proposed plan to revitalize the ageing complex. Currently, only 52 shops are operational, while 10 have shut down due to dwindling customer numbers. Shop owners report operating at a loss, attributing their struggles to the lack of upkeep—none of the three lifts are functional, and the building has only been repainted once in 30 years. Security is also lacking, with no night-time lighting and misuse of the parking area by outsiders. The Kedaram Shop Owners' Association (KSOA) had earlier convened on April 8 to raise these concerns. In response, Trida has committed to a limited set of improvements due to budget constraints. These include repainting the building's front facade, repairing one lift, and deploying two security guards. KC Vikraman, Trida chairman, acknowledged the validity of the traders' demands but cited financial limitations. "We cannot promise a multi-level parking facility or alter the existing rent escalation policy," he said. Currently, rents rise by 8% annually—traders are requesting a more manageable hike every three years. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranger Sees Strange Creature On Riverbank. He Says, 'Oh My God,' When He Realizes What It Really Is Novelodge Undo Shyam Kumar B, KSOA joint secretary and a long-standing tenant, stressed the complex's potential. "Kedaram is centrally located. With proper upgrades, it can serve as a mall and draw more shoppers," he said. Some additional enhancements will be supported by external agencies. The Central Ground Water Board has agreed to install LED lights both within and around the complex. Measures to improve cleanliness will be strengthened, including action against waste dumping in common areas. Tenants also expressed frustration over unresolved maintenance issues. Despite paying an extra 10% maintenance fee, problems such as a broken drainage pipe that caused waterlogging last year remain unfixed.
