In Thiruvananthapuram, high court stops relocation of Palayam market traders

T'puram: The long-awaited redevelopment of the historic Palayam Connemara market encountered a fresh hurdle after the Kerala high court intervened to halt the relocation of traders to a new temporary facility until Thursday. The court order came in response to a plea by traders opposing forced relocation, prompting a dramatic stand-off on Tuesday night when the city corporation attempted to demolish the old fish vending unit.
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president and Confederation of All India Traders national secretary SS Manoj accused the corporation of ignoring the genuine concerns of the vendors. "Traders are not against development," Manoj said. "But relocating them without ensuring that their businesses can continue is unacceptable. The corporation secretary's rigid approach left the traders with no choice but to seek legal help," Manoj said.
He said the act was a blatant violation of the high court's interim order in WP(C) No. 14892/2025, which was issued based on the assurance provided by the corporation's advocate to the court. He said immediate legal action be taken against the corporation secretary who instructed this illegal act, as well as against those who participated in it.
Corporation secretary S Jahamgeer said the relocation was being carried out smoothly and that most fish vendors had already moved to the new facility. "Only a small section is opposing. The new temporary complex is well-equipped and the legacy waste at the location will be handled through biomining," he stated while adding that no further meetings with traders were planned.
The Rs 55-crore market redevelopment project, being executed by RDS Projects Ltd under the Smart City Mission, was expected to begin by March 31, 2025. However, the delay has created financial and administrative complications, with additional funds now needed to proceed.
Palayam ward councillor Rajan acknowledged the traders' grievances and promised to hold talks soon. "The project is crucial and already delayed. We must balance development with the needs of the traders. The shifting will be done at the earliest," he said.
Meanwhile, sources suggest political interference and unauthorised claims over temporary stalls by traders not originally based in Palayam have further complicated the relocation. Despite this, the chief minister said the govt was committed to moving forward with the redevelopment and work would begin soon. The temporary facilities, jointly set up by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and TRIDA, consist of three prefabricated rehabilitation blocks made from high-quality steel. Designed for ease of dismantling post-construction, they can house up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors.
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