KATHMANDU, May 11: Kalimati vegetable market is suspending the retail business of vegetables and fruits being operated inside the market yard from Thursday, citing a growing risk of the coronavirus spread.
Issuing a public notice on Tuesday, the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB) said it will be closing the retail business from the place during the period of the prohibitory orders enforced by the District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu. The DAO has decided to extend the prohibitory order period by another 15 days effective from Thursday.
Nearly half of vegetables traded at Kalimati market from India
Kalimati market is one of the largest selling points of vegetables supplied to the Valley on a daily basis. It sells an average of 800 tons of vegetables daily produced by the local farmers and the ones imported from India.
Despite the DAO imposing prohibitory orders in the past two weeks, the KFVMDB authority as of now has been allowing the selling of vegetables and fruits between 1AM and 9AM. However, citing excessive crowds for the purchase/sale of the farm products, the DAO has intervened in the market transactions, according to the KFVMDB.
The board says that the farmers’ outlets at the Kalimati market have been shut since Tuesday. But the wholesale transactions and big farmers selling their products through auctions have been permitted, provided they maintain the safety protocols.
