Small traders, hawkers in Tiruchi heave a sigh of relief as shoppers return on festival eve

Tiruchi is a favourite destination with seasonal traders during the Deepavali season. There has been a rush of seasonal retail traders in the city selling readymade garments and clothes. These traders have set up temporary shops on NSB Road, Big Bazaar Street, Nandhi Kovil Street, Singarathope, and Super Bazaar. Most of them operate in open space with a pile of stocks by their side.

According to a rough estimate, nearly 900 to 1,000 such hawkers do business in the commercial areas during the days preceding a major festival. They occupy the roadsides near Gandhi Market, Big Bazaar Street, Theradi Kadai Veedhi, Chinna Kadai Veedhi, College Road and Chathram Bus Stand. West Boulevard Road is another favourite spot with these hawkers who come from Karur, Erode, Tiruppur, and other surrounding districts. These traders mainly deal with knitwear and garments from Tiruppur and other parts of the country.

With the early onset of northeast monsoon, rain threat loomed over their business prospects. And a spell of heavy rain on Thursday gave them anxious moments because the last four days prior to Deepavali is when they make a roaring business. Thursday’s rain threatened to pour cold water on their hopes with the forecast of heavy rain on Friday and Sunday dampening their spirit. However, there was just a drizzle on Friday and Sunday was free ofrain, much to their relief.

With no rain on the eve of Deepavali, shoppers thronged NSB Road, Singarathope, Super Bazaar, Big Bazaar Street and others. Traders did brisk business right from 8 a.m. with the steady stream of discerning customers trickling in throughout the day looking for a good deal.

“We were scared that the rain will hit the Deepavali trade hard. It was relief to see the bright sunshine on Saturday and Sunday. The crowd rush on the commercial streets is good,” says M. Veerachamy, a seasonal trader from Karur, who set up a temporary shop on Big Bazaar Street.