Rahul lays foundation stone of fruit, veg market

Congress MP and party's vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday along with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda laid the foundation stone of country's largest international terminal market for fruits and vegetables, flowers and dairy products here today. It would be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore over 536 acres of land.

Union Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary and party's in-charge for Haryana affairs, Shakeel Ahmed, Renuka Chaudhary, Haryana Congress President Ashok Tanwar and a number of Haryana MPs, Ministers and MLAs from the State were also present on this occasion.

The International Terminal Market would be designed on the pattern of Rungis International Market in France and for this consultation services has been taken from an international firm, an official spokesman said.

Being in close proximity to National Capital Region (NCR), the setting up of this international market would largely benefit the farmers of northern states.

This would also prove to be beneficial in de-congestion of Azadpur Mandi of Delhi, he said.

"This market would meet the requirement of wholesale traders of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. With the setting of this market, nutritional security would be ensured and would help the farmers and other stakeholders in increasing their income which would further benefit the state," he said.

The market would be equipped with the facilities like cool chamber, ripening chamber, grading, sorting, waxing and packing. It would also house commodity hubs, multiple commodity hubs and collection centres. A National Horticulture Arcade is also being developed in this market.

"Also, the concerned undertakings of all states and Central Government would be given space in this market. This would not only boost the State Specific Product but also provide national and international level facility for the sale of horticulture products. This Arcade would be developed on the pattern of Pragati Maidan, New Delhi," he said.

He also said that a logistic hub is being constructed in this market wherein, world class transportation facility along with refrigerated trains and trucks would be available.

"CONCOR India has proposed an agreement with Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) for providing various facilities, its operations and upkeep. This international level market would open new doors of prosperity for the farmers of the country," he added.