Chennai: Fresh vegetables were dumped in heaps inside and outside the Koyambedu wholesale market due to poor footfall during the long Ayudha Pooja holiday. Sacks of lady’s finger, cabbage, beans, and onions were left to rot in the open as the produce lost freshness, even as traders cut prices to attract customers.
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S Muthu Kumar, president of the Semi Wholesale Vendors Association, said, “The relocation of southbound bus services to Kilambakkam has affected footfall at Koyambedu, as many people who usually visit the market before travelling to their hometowns no longer come there. Many people have left for their hometowns, and the shift of bus services has also affected business,” he said. The market, which receives vegetables from various districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, usually sees brisk sales during festivals. However, this year, fewer wholesale buyers and retail traders turned up to buy vegetables, leaving large quantities unsold. Heavy rain was another factor, as vegetables drenched in rainwater quickly lose freshness and become unsuitable for sale. “Usually, sales are good during festivals, and traders expect demand to increase. This time, even after reducing prices, there were no buyers. He added that online grocery purchases had also affected market sales, with more consumers choosing home delivery instead of buying vegetables in person. Despite several attempts, CMDA officials were unavailable for a comment. Download the TOI App.