PATHANAMTHITTA: Puramattom junction in Mullapally Taluk is known as the Ration Shop Street. Here there are six Ration shops, of which, three lies close together in a row. Within 50 metres come the next two shops. The sixth shop is also within one km distance from the junction.

The Civil Supplies authorities say they have not seen so many Ration shops close together at any other place. Their numbers are also consecutive ones 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 .

All these shops are 40 to 50 years old. The owners after closing their shops for lunch break at 12 pm gather at any one shop for discussing the stocks and a chitchat session.

After noon the shop will again be opened at 4pm and closed at around 8pm. Each shop handles 200 to 600 ration cards.