Madurai: Diwali shopping rush this year has been overshadowed by soaring prices and untimely evening showers, with consumers spending more but buying less, and street vendors struggling to stay profitable.
City police commissioner S Rajendiran told TOI that they have deployed around 2,000 personnel across the city. The security setup will be supervised by three deputy commissioners and 12 assistant commissioners of police. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
“We had to compromise on jewelry, sweets and crackers due to price increases compared to last year,” said Shanti, a customer who was buying saris on South Masi Street. “Vendors are paying around Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 per day as rent, but higher prices of items have reduced cash flow,” said CITU Street Vendors Association general secretary S Kannan. “Compared to last year, products are anywhere from 10 to 15% more expensive, and people are leaning towards online purchases and discounts that we cannot afford,” said Ganesh, a vendors selling fireworks on East Masi Street. “We are awaiting last-minute shoppers on Saturday to make up for sluggish sales,” added Ganesh. Security measures include watchtowers, bicycle and two-wheeler patrol units, and intensified surveillance at the railway station and bus stands are in place, said Rajendiran. Special mufti police teams and anti-pickpocket squads have also been deployed to prevent thefts, said Rajendiran.
The higher price of products, including fireworks, jewellery, and textiles, has hit consumers hard. The reduced sales have also affected street vendors who have to pay high rents for stall space on Masi, Avani and Moola streets. He attributed the increase in prices to rising fuel as well as production costs. Only three shops have rented space at Tamukkam ground, usually a busy fireworks sales hub. With evening rain affecting sales, vendors are opening early in the day. Meanwhile, city police have intensified security and crowd-management arrangements. Traffic diversions were implemented at key locations to regulate vehicle movement and manage the gathering. Instead of facial recognition system (FRS) cameras, a mobile FRS application to scan and verify individuals when required is being used. These photos would be compared with those fed in the database, and the application would flag suspicious persons, he added. Download the TOI App.