Hundreds of traders and labourers protested at Palayam market in Kozhikode from Tuesday morning over plans to shift the market to a different location.

Hundreds of traders and labourers protested on Tuesday against shifting Kozhikode’s Palayam market to a new complex at Kalluthankadavu, due to be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that day. Protesters said the new shops are small and far from bus transport, and claimed small traders’ units are above a covered drainage canal while prime sites went to larger traders or companies. Loading and unloading workers said they would lose job opportunities, and trade union groups said they were not consulted.

CPI(M)-affiliated traders’ organisations supported the move, describing the complex as modern, spacious and well-equipped. They said it has over 300 shops, compared with about half that number at Palayam, and would ease traffic congestion in the city centre.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the new Palayam vegetables and fruits market at Kalluthankadavu, Kozhikode, on October 21, 2025. Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas inaugurated its wholesale and open-market section; Mayor Beena Philip presided.

Built by Kalluthankadavu Area Development Company (KADCO) under a public-private partnership, the market occupies a 5.5-acre plot, spans 3.5 lakh sq ft and can accommodate 310 shops. Its six-block first floor has direct access from the Meenchanda-Arayidathupalam bypass road, and ramps allow autorickshaws and goods vehicles to reach upper floors.

Of 153 vendors currently housed in a Kozhikode Corporation-owned Palayam market building, all have secured spaces in the new complex. Other building-based and street vendors, along with associated labourers, protested their exclusion and demanded a proper transfer. Protesting vendors clashed with vendors who had agreed to move; police intervened.

Kozhikode Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafar Ahamed said the Palayam fruits and vegetables market will move to the newly built shopping complex at Kalluthankadavu before the Corporation council’s term expires in 2025. The relocation will involve consultation with traders and workers, without forced displacement. Five rounds of discussions have taken place, and the Corporation has served notices on 152 traders; further dialogue with licensed vendors is open.

A council member said Kalluthankadavu spans 5.5 acres and has 300 shops, compared with Palayam’s three acres and 153 shops. The new market can accommodate large lorries and offers better facilities. Councillors called for rehabilitation of all traders and consensus with the trading community.

Kerala allocated ₹20 crore for preliminary activities, including feasibility assessment and revision of the detailed project report. The proposed Medical College–Meenchanda alignment could attract interest in Medical College, Chevayur, Thondayad, Feroke, Mananchira, Palayam, Kallayi, Panniyankara, Vattakinar and Meenchanda. A 3–7% residential price premium near proposed stops is a working estimate; actual effects depend on route and station confirmation, commercial activity, approvals and execution. Transit-oriented development rules could allow higher floor area, mixed-use buildings, organised parking and improved pedestrian access, subject to notified boundaries, permitted FAR and municipal approvals.

Kochi Metro Phase I began operating in June 2017 on the 13.2-km Aluva–Palarivattom section with 11 stations. Edappally apartments average ₹8,750 per sq ft, up 22.4% in three years. Kakkanad averages ₹6,630 per sq ft, with 7.7% annual appreciation; the Kochi Metro Phase II alignment is 11.2 km long with 11 stations.