Chennai: A temporary arrangement by the corporation has been a problem for motorists along the Mambalam high road for the past three years. At least 200 metres of a busy stretch has been occupied by shops which earlier were housed under the Kodambakkam bridge. Nearly 118 shops line the right side of the road along the railway track. From vegetable sellers, butchers to recharge shops, they are all present on the road. Motorists using the road say that the situation has remained so for the past three years in spite increase in traffic.

Muthuraja, an auto driver who plies his vehicle in the area, says, “During evenings, it becomes hard to navigate on the road. But the market is essential as a lot of people use it.” Residents, too, feel the same. With fresh vegetables available, people are ready to bear the traffic congestion. But many feel if the corporation gives a better and organised place for the market, it would help.

Ward councillor P. Shanthi says that these shops were originally under the Kodambakkam bridge and were relocated along the road before three years for the renovation of the bridge.The work under the Kodambakkam bridge has been going on for the past three years and but the traffic chaos due to the alternative arrangement has not helped the situation either.

“The shops cannot be considered encroachments as the shops are paying lease amount to the corporation. This place is temporarily allotted to the vendors and as the bridge work is nearing completion, the shops will once again be relocated under the bridge,” adds Ms Shanthi. There are 118 vegetable, fish and meat shops on the corporation’s record along the Mambalam high road which were functioning under the road for more than three decades.