Kozhikode Corporation has launched a thorough sanitation initiative at the bustling Palayam fruit and vegetable market as part of pre-monsoon preparations. This effort targets the market’s central location, where thousands visit daily, to ensure hygiene and prevent monsoon-related issues like flooding and waste buildup.
Palayam Market stands as Kozhikode’s heartbeat, drawing crowds for fresh produce amid its vibrant chaos. Positioned in the city’s core, it supports hundreds of traders and laborers while serving residents’ daily needs. Such high footfall makes regular upkeep essential, especially with Kerala’s intense southwest monsoon approaching.
The drive involved comprehensive cleaning across the market premises, focusing on waste removal and sanitation hotspots. Corporation workers cleared accumulated debris, unclogged drains, and disinfected areas to eliminate breeding grounds for pests. This aligns with annual pre-monsoon protocols seen in other Kozhikode markets like Puthiyappa harbor.
Originally a decades-old hub, Palayam Market relocated to a modern 3.5-lakh sq ft complex at Kalluthankadavu in October 2025, spanning 5.5 acres at a ₹100 crore PPP cost. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan amid trader protests over shop allotments, the new site offers 310 shops, parking, and advanced facilities. The shift transformed a former slum area, relocating residents in 2019.
Just six months after opening, the new market faced scrutiny from summer rains causing roof leakages, highlighting infrastructure concerns. Protests in 2025 focused on rushed inaugurations and inadequate vendor consultations, with CPI(M)-affiliated traders rallying in support. These events underscore ongoing tensions between modernization and trader livelihoods.
Monsoon cleaning prevents waterlogging, a frequent issue in low-lying Kozhikode areas, as seen in recent heavy rains damaging northern regions. Similar drives in Kochi emphasize inorganic waste collection and green task forces before April. For Palayam, this ensures smooth operations during peak rainy season, safeguarding public health.
Kozhikode Corporation allocates funds like ₹69 lakhs for ward-level cleanups, involving unions and traders. Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafar has assured smooth transitions, issuing notices to 152 vendors pre-relocation. These steps reflect a commitment to urban hygiene amid Kerala’s challenging climate.
Read more at: https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kozhikode/2026/05/12/palayam-market-monsoon-cleaning-kozhikode.html