Budget: Delhi govt set asides Rs 1070 cr for modern markets

The Delhi government has allocated around Rs 1,070 crore for setting up modern markets in the city.
Of this amount, around Rs 800 crore has been earmarked for construction of 70-acre market at Tikri Khampur to decongest the "overcrowded" Azadpur Mandi.
"Asia's biggest market Azadpur mandi has become overcrowded. The proposed 70-acre market, expected to be completed by 2019 end, at Tikri Khampur will be able to reduce the congestion," said Delhi Finance minister Sisodia in his budget speech today.
He also announced a modern flower market-cum-exhibition centre at a cost of Rs 150 crore and a modern fish and poultry market at cost of 120 crore at Gazipur.

"A Waste-to-Energy plant at Gazipur has also been proposed and will be complete by end of this fiscal," he said.
An e-mandi project in all markets is also in the pipeline in order to ensure transparency in transactions.

"In order to fetch better prices to farmers and to shorten payment cycle, e-mandi project will be implemented by joining the e-portal of National Agriculture Market in a phased manner," the deputy chief minister said.
Besides, the government has earmarked Rs 600 crore for the Delhi Rural Development Board, a four-fold increase from Rs 132 crore last year.
Sisodia said the board will now include both rural and urban villages of Delhi.

"Outlay of the board will be increased to Rs 600 crore, a four-fold increase from Rs 132 crore last year. Rs two crore from the fund will be allocated to each rural or urban village in proportion to its population," he said.
The Delhi government has allocated Rs 925 crore for rural development and flood irrigation for the fiscal 2017-18.
An amount of Rs 704 has also been allocated for implementation of various schemes under the sector.
Construction of Chhath Ghats across Delhi at a cost of Rs 20 crore has also been proposed.