Coimbatore’s recovery from COVID-19 is on the fast-lane. Health-care professionals have been elemental in the recovery of Corona positive patients. Similarly the Local Administration and certain private strategic partnerships have been instrumental in keeping the unaffected remain that way.
The vision of Minister S.P.Velumani to shield the city from the Novel Coronavirus received support from like-minded groups in the city. A Plus R Architects is one among them.
When the lockdown was about to be implemented, Minister S.P.Velumani envisioned that Social Distancing must be strongly implemented in vegetable and flower markets beside other essential areas, because of the crowd it attracts on a daily basis.
The Government decided to shift several vegetable markets to Govt bus stands which were then non-functional. A Plus R Architects developed the suggestions and plans to enable social distancing in the temporary market spots that were made in the bus stands.
T.K Market which has around 205 stores was shifted to Gandhipuram Bus Stands. 125 shops are in Central bus stand and 80 are in Town Bus Stand. Ramar Kovil Market which has 220 shops was shifted to Ukkadam Bus Stand. 120 shops were present in the bus stand. The remaining 100 shops were taking turns to open their outlet on alternate days.
Some markets such as Anna Market is shifted to Ramalinga Chettiar School. MGR Market is shifted to MTP Bus Stand. Ulavar Sandhai in Vadavalli is split into two and placed in Vadavalli Bus Stand.
On Sunday (17.5.2020), it was announced by the Coimbatore Corporation that the temporary market venues in Coimbatore Town & Central Bus Stand will be moved to Central Prison Ground in Dr.Nanjappa Road.
The temporary market venue that was in Ukkadam Bus Stand has been moved to Lorripetai in Ukkadam. Similarly the market that was running in Mettupalayam New Bus Stand has been moved to Thadagam road GCT College Grounds.
Poo Market’s 200 shops is in plans to be shifted to Devanga High School. 180 shops will be given space in the school and the rest will take turns.
It is in discussion to shift the markets to Corporation School Grounds before the bus-stands open in a few days. The shift will be made to schools and proposals are being made. Minister S.P.Velumani, District Collector, Corporation Commissioner, Asst Corporation Commissioner are discussing the next implementation process. Architect Ragav from A Plus R is also in this initiative.
A PLUS R Architects who have international work-experience have developed their concepts to increase social-distancing in the new venues for the market and proposed it to support the vision of Minister Velumani in helping the city retain its status as a safe-zone.