Kerala CM inaugurates new Palayam market in Kozhikode amid protests

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan opened the new Palayam vegetables and fruits market complex at Kalluthankadavu in Kozhikode on Tuesday amid protests by vendors and political organisations.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister criticised “the attitude of opposing projects that are meant for the betterment of society.”

“Once an election is over, the ruling front and the Opposition should work together for the betterment and development of society. Constructive criticism is welcome. But it is not mandatory for the Opposition to oppose everything the ruling front does”, he said.

Mayor Beena Philip presided over the event in which Minister for Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the wholesale and open market section.

The new Palayam market, situated in a 5.5-acre plot at Kalluthankadavu in the city, was built in the public-private-partnership model by the Kalluthankadavu Area Development Company (KADCO) at a cost of ₹100 crore. The market, spread over 3.5 lakh sq ft, is one of the biggest of its kind in the State. It can accommodate 310 shops. The first floor of the building, in six blocks, can be accessed directly from the Meenchanda-Arayidathupalam bypass road. Autorickshaw and goods vehicles can be taken to the upper floors through ramps.

At present, 153 vendors who are accommodated at the Kozhikode Corporation-owned building at the Palayam market have secured their spaces in the new market.

However, there have been allegations that the Corporation did not take the vendors functioning from the other buildings in the market as well as the street vendors, besides other labourers associated with it. They have been protesting ever since the project was conceptualised, demanding a proper and scientific transfer of the market.

On Tuesday, they staged protests carrying placards and black flags before the arrival of the Chief Minister, claiming that they were not moving out of the market at any cost.

They were opposed by those vendors who had agreed to move to the new market, which led to a clash. The police intervened to control the mob.