Delhi to modernise all mandis, set up new one

The Delhi government is going to modernise all the ‘mandis’ in the Capital and set up a new “modern mandi”, Delhi Development Minister Gopal Rai announced on Tuesday.

The government will construct the new mandi spread across 70 acres equipped with several modern facilities at Delhi-Tikri Khanpur Border at a cost of Rs 800 crore, Rai told reporters here. 

“The market will be equipped with modern facilities, following a national survey of all existing mandis. This market will be developed over an area of 70 acres. A special consultant is also being roped in for to facilitate the changeover,” said a communique.

Rai said once constructed, the new mandi will reduce the burden on the Azadpur mandi and will reduce traffic congestion due to vehicles directed towards Azadpur in North Delhi.

The new South Delhi project was estimated to take around two and a half years and the consultant for the same will be hired by February, Rai said. 

“Our main objective is to usher more transparency and accountability in business. We also want to ensure that farmers get their goods at fair value,” said the minister.

“Taking note of demonetisation blues, the Delhi government has installed 38 POS machines in Delhi mandis to reduce the hardships faced by traders and customers. The changeover of all mandis is being facilitated in collaboration with the NAM Group,” Rai noted.

“Apart from the new mandi, we will modernise the Ghazipur flower mandi at a cost of Rs 140 crore. It will have 432 shops and cold storage facility,” the minister said.

He also announced plans to construct a three-storey building with 120 shops at the Ghazipur poultry market at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

The government was planning to modernise all mandis of Delhi. The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board (DAMB) here. 

Similarly, the Azadpur cement warehouse area will witness changes at a cost of Rs 20 crore for reconstruction of three sheds and upgrade of the existing drainage system, which will be formally inaugurated on January 6 by the minister.