Vendors selling summer refreshments in Erode seek extension of business hours

P. Murugesan, 52, who sells tender coconut on Gandhiji Road in Erode, is prone to be affected by the brand new restrictions on closure of retailers at midday from Thursday. He is among the many many avenue distributors selling seasonal fruits and drinks alongside the roadside, who need the State authorities to increase business hours until 5 p.m., as Kathiri Veyil (‘dog days’) have began.

With mercury ranges hovering to 38 levels Celsius on Wednesday, the demand for watermelon, mosambi (candy lime), mulampalam (muskmelon), noongu (palmyra fruit), buttermilk, sugarcane juice, tender coconut, cucumbers and kambam koozh (pearl millet porridge) can also be on the rise. Temporary retailers selling these things are seen in town and on the outskirts.

“Last year’s lockdown completely affected our business. We only started to recover slowly now. But, we fear the restrictions in business hours will further affect us,” stated Murugesan.

With the beginning of Kathiri Veyil, extra folks go to these retailers to maintain themselves cool and hydrated. “Our main business is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” stated P. Mariyamma, who sells sugarcane juice in Solar. She stated that business had dropped by over 70% in the present season and the little earnings would guarantee correct meals for her household day-after-day. “Due to the increase in temperature, customers started visiting the juice stalls and these restrictions will halt the business completely,” she stated.

Vendors say there isn’t any over-crowding in the roadside retailers and wished the federal government to increase business hours for them as juices and different drinks are important throughout summer. “Even if people stay indoors, they need refreshments to tackle the scorching heat”, stated Pushpa, who sells watermelon on Karur Bypass Road. She stated that the value of watermelon and sugarcane juice is inexpensive for even the poor and wished their business hours to be prolonged.