Vadakara: Plans are underway to launch a Sunday market and revive the lost charm of the traditional Tuesday market in Vadakara under a project led by the Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi, in collaboration with the people's collective.

The initiative aims to open the maximum number of shops on Sundays and encourage the street-side sale of products that are not usually available in the city on weekends. Both projects are being implemented jointly by various organisations and the municipality.

Municipal Chairperson K P Bindu will inaugurate the Sunday market at 3 PM on October 26 at Queens Road. A reception committee has been formed to coordinate the arrangements. The preparatory meeting was presided over by E Narayanan Nair. K N Vinod, A P Haridasan, Rajith Karatt, Ajith Palayad, K M Balakrishnan, K Reena, Balan Chemmarathoor, Niteesh Dudu, T V Vinal Kumar, Faizal Thangal, K Shiju, Nisar and C K Anil Kumar spoke at the event.

Opposition from Merchants’ Association
However, the Merchants’ Association under the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi has expressed strong opposition to the move. The association argued that since Vadakara already has an adequate number of shops selling all types of goods, there is no real need for additional weekly markets.

According to them, introducing a Sunday market could adversely affect established traders who pay GST and bear other business-related expenses. The association suggested that participation in the Sunday market scheme be restricted to traditional roadside vendors within the town 

At a meeting convened by the association, participants urged the trading community to unite in opposing the project. The meeting was presided over by M Abdul Salam, and M P Majeesh Kumar, P K Ratheesh, Ranjith Kallatt, V K Muhammadali, O K Surendran, Amal Ashok, K K Ajith and K Sudheer Kumar spoke.