Siliguri, Sept. 22 -- The West Bengal government has announced plans to revamp the infrastructure of Siliguri Regulated Market and take measures to control the prices of essential commodities, including sugar and onions.
Dilip Ghosh, minister of Panchayat and Rural Development and Agricultural Marketing department, made the announcements after holding a meeting at the regulated market on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Abhinav Chandra, Agricultural Marketing Department secretary, Darjeeling District Magistrate, along with traders.
"Siliguri is among approximately 50 locations in the state where similar facilities are being planned. We will develop the entire market and will resolve the issues at the earliest," Ghosh said.
Spread across nearly 50 acres, the largest wholesale market of North Bengal, Siliguri Regulated Market, is facing several "infrastructural challenges, including poor roads, drainage issues and difficulties with entry and exit routes".
Ghosh said: "More than 20 trucks enter the market every day, and they are facing difficulties. The closure of a drainage channel during the construction of the highway in front of the market has also led to waterlogging during rainfall. Therefore, we are planning to improve the market's gates, drinking water facilities and security arrangements. A processing centre may also be established within the market to manage organic waste and other discarded materials, including thermocol."
Plans are also being considered to provide accommodation and rest facilities for truck drivers arriving from other districts and states. The proposed building may include accommodation for drivers on the upper floors, while food facilities and warehouses could be set up on the ground floor.
The government is also considering establishing a cold storage facility at the market to preserve perishable products such as oranges, pineapples and avocados for two to three months.
Two separate meetings were also held with onion and sugar traders. "Efforts are underway to bring onions to the market at around Rs 35 per kilogram by the end of September. Discussions were also held to reduce sugar prices to Rs 50 per kilogram or below before the end of the month ahead of the Durga Puja."
The proposed redevelopment also includes solar power facilities and strengthening security to prevent theft.
The minister also visited the comprehensive area development corporation project at Naxalbari and Leusipakuri Agri Market at Phansidewa under Siliguri Sub-Division.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.