New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- With ageing roads, clogged drains and inadequate storage affecting the movement of agricultural produce, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday laid the foundation stones for four infrastructure projects at the city's agricultural markets, promising modern facilities for farmers and traders.
The projects, launched at the Azadpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee office under the Seva Sankalp Campaign, will cover Keshopur, Narela and Azadpur markets. Gupta said the government was drawing up long-term plans to develop infrastructure that could meet market requirements for the next 100 years.
At Keshopur Fruit and Vegetable Market, roads more than two decades old will be rebuilt at a cost of Rs.9.48 crore. Narela's New Grain Market will get two temporary storage sheds across its approximately 33-acre premises, while nearly 30-year-old sewerage and drainage lines in Blocks B and C of Azadpur New Vegetable Market will be repaired.
A slow-speed weigh-in-motion system will also be installed at Azadpur's entry and exit gates, allowing commercial vehicles to be weighed without stopping completely. Electronic records are expected to improve transparency and accountability in the process.
"Providing better facilities to farmers and traders and modernising market infrastructure is a government priority," Gupta said, adding that the focus would extend beyond repairs to drainage, waste disposal, lighting, healthcare and other basic amenities for workers.
Development Minister Kapil Mishra said work that had remained stalled for decades was now gaining momentum. "Development work stalled for 30 years in Delhi's markets is now gaining momentum," he said.
Mishra said a project to expand Narela Market was being taken forward, while a new flower market was planned for the coming financial year. Work was also progressing towards a modern market at Tikri Khampur, he added.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.