Title - Introduce Karur-Chennai day train service: traders

Introduction of a day train service between Karur and Chennai, establishment of a heavy vehicles driver training institute and development of Kamaraj Marker into a modern shandy were among the requirements put forth by traders and business persons to improve commerce and trade in Karur. The commercial community suggested these measures during an interaction with the Transport Minister V.Senthil Balaji and Karur MP M. Thambi Durai here on Friday.This was the fourth coordination meeting held specifically to establish a direct communication link between the trading establishments and political leaders in a bid to clear the administrative or policy hurdles and logjams that preclude routine development activities.The meeting also saw the participation of Karur Municipal Chairman M.Selvaraj and representatives of a slew of associations and trade bodies.Some of the other demands raised at the consultative meeting included expeditious beginning of the new high level bridge planned across River Amaravathy at Pasupathypalayam, expeditious commencement of train services between Salem and Karur on the new broad gauge line, and protection to traders from anti-commerce laws.Traders also wanted the State government to oppose tooth and nail the plans to allow Foreign Direct Investment in retail trade and anti-trader provisions in the Food Quality Bill.

Ill-advised policies would do more harm than the problem they seek to remove, speakers cautioned. During the meeting traders thanked Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for sanctioning a new dyeing park, new bus stand, expansion of the present government hospital and formation of a ring road for Karur and pointed out that those developments would go a long way in ensuring development of trade and commerce in the industrial town.

More than 30 associations and their representatives participated in the deliberations. Office-bearers from textile, mosquito net weaving, dairy, bus coach building industrial associations, as also forums of food grain, and rice and paddy dealers participated in the discussions.

One particular demand that market traders raised pertained to dismantling the Kamaraj Market that is cramped and dilapidated in parts to raise a new, spacious and modern complex to house the same traders besides adding space for more shops in the same complex. Those who participated included president of District Chamber of Commerce and Trade K. Raju, Yarn Merchants Association president P. Selvam, Tamil Nadu Paddy and Rice Merchants Association joint secretary Venkatraman, Financiers’ Association president Ashok Kumar, HDPE Mono Filament Yarn Manufacturing Units Association president A.R. Malayappasamy, Hotel Owners Association president Karuppasamy, and Export Cloth Manufacturing Association president Anboli Kaliappan.