Vellore Corporation begins desilting of old drains in Netaji market to prevent inundation

The Vellore Corporation has commenced desilting and reconstruction of old, dilapidated stormwater drains inside the British-era Netaji wholesale market, located opposite to fort complex, to prevent inundation during monsoon.

Corporation officials said that the existing Netaji wholesale market, which is 1.5 acres, has 982 shops including 282 retail outlets. The market was built in 1868, two years after the Vellore Municipality was established in 1866.

In its early days, the market had only 200 stalls before more shops were added over the years. “Old drains inside the market were not desilted for many years. Apart from desilt work, Corporation will also reconstruct damaged drains at identified spots in the market to prevent inundation,” R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.

The market got its name after office bearers of Vellore Town Vegetable Merchants Association decided to name it after the freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in the 1960s. The market is a lifeline for residents within Corporation limits that covers 60 wards with a population of over 10 lakh persons.

Every day, on an average, 80-100 lorries from neighbouring States like A.P, Karnataka, Maharashtra come to the market to unload essential items. “The desilt and repair of drains inside the market is a welcome measure. Earlier, many shops in the market used to shut shops during heavy rains as the facility will be waterlogged,” said P. Gnanavel, president, Vellore All Traders Association.

Corporation officials said that the existing drain, on an average, is one foot wide and two feet in depth. The narrow drain is also clogged due to the huge amount of silt deposit. As a result, excess rainwater from surrounding inlets overflowed into the market, resulting in inundation.

The on-going work will remove silt deposit in the drain. Interlinking water channels in the market will be widened to discharge excess rainwater. The widened water channel will be 1.5 metres wide and three metres in depth. The work will be completed in the coming weeks.

Corporation officials said attempts to rebuild the market with modern facilities by the civic body failed after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declined to give NOC as the market is located within the 100-metre prohibited area of fort complex, a protected monument, under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASAR), 2010.

Alongside, the Corporation also plans to restore the crumbled clock tower to its original splendour, using lime and mortar. Thick vegetation on its structures including walls and pillars will be removed. The clock will be readied by experts from Kolkata. Artisans from southern Tamil Nadu will be roped in for the masonry work.

Corporation officials said that the clock tower, which is part of the market complex, was installed by residents in commemoration of the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in Delhi on 12 December 1911.