India, Aug. 13 -- The ageing Vashi APMC could soon look very different, with authorities planning a decision on the fate of its long-troubled onion-potato market within two months and a gradual shift to digital, cashless transactions beginning within a year. The overhaul also aims to transform the market into a modern trading hub capable of competing with leading markets across Asia.

Marketing minister and APMC chairman Jaykumar Rawal announced the roadmap after inspecting all five market yards and meeting traders, farmers, Mathadi workers and officials.

The immediate concern is the condition of the market's ageing structures, most of which date back to the 1970s and 1980s. The onion-potato market has been classified as dangerous since ...