Tamil Nadu to set up terminal markets

Gets Centre’s nod for Coimbatore facility; two more planned in Chennai, Madurai

The state agriculture marketing department would set up terminal markets under public-private partnership (PPP) in three major cities. The proposed terminals, which would cost Rs 350-400 crore, would cater to fruits, vegetables and horticulture.

The department has received in-principle approval from the Centre for the Coimbatore facility, to be set up at an investment of around Rs 110 crore. Request for qualification (RFQ) for the same would be called in the next 15 days, a senior government official said.

The proposed facility to come up on 40 acre of land, allocated by Sipcot, would cater to six districts in and around Coimbatore, he said.

Similarly, two more markets have been planned in Chennai and Madurai.

The department is also planning to set up cold storage facilities at specialised markets in Hosur, Krishnagiri, Pattukottai, Odapatti and Pongaluru. These facilities, besides acting as auction centres, can be used by both farmers and traders.

The Pattukottai facility would cost around Rs 4 crore since it would also take up value addition. The remaining centres would involve an investment of around Rs 1 crore each.

The official said the department would act as a facilitator and create infrastructure facilities.

Among others, the department is planning to set up 19 more agri-business centres across the state with the help of World Bank. Currently, Tamil Nadu has nine such centres.

These centres, run by farmers, act as input shops and are used as a storage facility.