Thalaivasal Market's Plight: Farmers Lack Basic Amenities

Farmers and traders at the Thalaivasal vegetable market, the second largest in Tamil Nadu, are calling for urgent improvements to basic amenities. The market, which relocated to a 16-acre site, suffers from inadequate infrastructure, including unpaved roads that become impassable during the monsoon season. This forces farmers to sell their produce outside the market premises, often in adverse weather conditions.

Vegetables supplied to the market originate from Salem, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Perambalur districts, underscoring its significance in the region's agricultural economy. Despite numerous appeals to officials, the lack of essential facilities such as toilets, drinking water, and proper shelter persists. The current state of the market poses significant challenges for the daily operations of hundreds of vehicles and the livelihoods of numerous farmers.

Market stakeholders, including long-time sellers, are urging the government to intervene by constructing tar or concrete roads and providing necessary amenities. They emphasize that Thalaivasal is a unique market where farmers sell directly, without middlemen. Officials from the Thalaivasal Block Development Office have stated that they will address the issue.