Chennai: Riots in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute have incurred a loss of over Rs 10 crore to traders at Koyambedu market as loads of vegetables and fruits failed to turn up for the second consecutive
day.
Agitated traders question the inefficiency of government officials in restoring peace in the neighbouring state. V.R. Soundarajan, president of Koyambedu vegetable association said, “Why is the Central government not taking serious steps in settling the issue? It is a loss to common people like us.”
According to him, it was a loss of over Rs 10 crore to 3,500 traders at the market, as essential vegetables including drumstick, beetroot, cauliflower, cabbage and brinjal were not available for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.
A trader from the market, Santhanam said, “We depend on the border districts of Karnataka for over 60 per cent of our vegetables. Of the 100 loads from Karnataka, only 20 of them reached the market on Wednesday. Tomato market was also hit as loads from Othupalli of Karnataka were stopped.”
Loads from Mulbagal, Malur have drastically declined, whereas Hosur supplied over 10 percentage of essentials. “There will be a marginal hike in the vegetables for two days. But this will not affect the common man,” said Velayudam, another trader.
Though loads would reach the market on Thursday, the statewide bandh on Friday will incur an estimate loss of over Rs 20 crore to the traders. “Both fruit and vegetable exports will not reach the state on Friday, incurring heavy loss to traders from both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,” he added.
