The mud road inside Thalaivasal vegetable market filled with rainwater.
| Photo Credit: SPL
Farmers and vegetable sellers demand basic amenities at the Thalaivasal vegetable market in the district.
The market is considered as the second largest vegetable market in Tamil Nadu, next to Koyambedu market in Chennai. Earlier the market functioned near the Salem-Ulundurpet national highway. Later, due to the construction of a flyover and after COVID-19, the market started to function on 16 acres of land 500 metres away from the highway. But, there were no basic amenities for farmers and vegetable sellers in the market, so it became difficult for them to sell the produce during the rainy season.
M. Thangaraj, president of Tamil Nadu Iyarkkai Vivasayigal Munnetra Sangam, said that for the market, vegetables are coming from Salem, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Perambalur districts. Per day hundreds of vehicles come to the market to unload the vegetables. But only mud roads are available in the market, which force farmers to sell the produce outside the market during the rainy season. There were no toilet or drinking water facilities. There is a school functioning near the market and the students in the morning are struggling to pass the road near the market due to vehicle movement, Mr. Thangaraj added.
K. Murugesan (53), who has been selling vegetables in the market for the past 30 years, said that many times, they approached official concerned to provide basic amenities. But no action was taken. In Tamil Nadu, the Thalaivasal vegetable market is the only market where farmers directly sell their produce without the interference of middlemen. During rainy season, rainwater stagnates, and the road becomes wet and slippery. Farmers wait outside the market in the rain to sell their produce. The government should look into the issue and lay tar road or a concrete road and provide basic amenities like water, toilets, and sheds, Mr. Murugesan added.
Officials attached to the Thalaivasal Block Development Office said they would look into the issue.
Published – November 27, 2025 07:29 pm IST
