NABARD sanctions Rs 64 crore for new market in Trichy

The work on a central market for vegetables, fruits and flowers at Kallikudi on the outskirts of the city may commence in a couple of months as the National bank for agriculture and rural development (NABARD) has sanctioned a loan of Rs 64 crore for the much-awaited project. 

The new market, which was proposed under former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, hopes to ease the congestion caused by the Gandhi market here. 

NABARD sanctioned the loan under the rural infrastructure development fund (RIDF). Jayalalithaa had announced Rs 77.06 crore for the development of the market in her first official visit to Srirangam after the parliamentary elections of June, 2014. 

"We have sanctioned a loan of Rs 64 crore for the construction of the modern vegetable and fruit market. The amount will be disbursed after the departments concerned commence the work," S Suresh Kumar, assistant general manager (district development) of NABARD, told reporters on Saturday. He also said that NABARD sanctioned Rs 676.61 lakh and disbursed Rs 509.8 lakh under RIDF for the district, to complete 1,132 projects related to agriculture, rural connectivity, social sector and habitations. 

The government acquired 9.79 acres of land at Kallikudi off Trichy- Madurai four-way track, around 13km away from the city. Trichy market committee would implement the project with technical support from agri business and marketing department. Jayalalithaa had said that the market would be equipped with 1,000 shops, with a storage capacity of 2,000 tonnes and other facilities. 

The purpose of the proposed project was to decongest the Gandhi market, the biggest vegetable market in the city. However, the project had failed to take off so far. A source said that the work would commence in a couple of months, since the structural engineering plan had been received from the Anna University. 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official said, "The commencement of the project will take more time. The structural engineering plan was drawn up by the Anna University. The next step is to call for tender for the construction of the project." 

Though the project is aimed at easing congestion in the Gandhi market, there is no indication on which trades will be shifted to the proposed market. When the plan was announced, the vegetable traders in Gandhi market had been upset, claiming that the long distance could affect their business. Sources said that the new market could be a centre for wholesale trade of vegetables, fruits and flowers.