KATHMANDU, May 25: Construction work on the Central Fruit and Flower Market in Chobhar, which was affected by Ring Road widening project, is resuming within few days.
The market is being built with an assistance of Rs 370 million from the World Bank.
Project for Agriculture Commercialization and Trade (PACT) under the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) is implementing the project.
PACT is one of the key projects of the government working for farm commercialization with the assistance of the World Bank.
Tejendra Poudel, the executive director of Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board, said that the market, which will sprawl over 24 ropani of land, will be ready within 15 months. “There will be a five-storey building in the market. Construction work was affected for around two-three months due to Ring Road widening works,” added Poudel.
Upon completion, PACT will hand over the market to Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board.
The government has provided the mining site of Himal Cement Factory to build the market. MoAD procured the land by paying Rs 30 million.
The market will have more than 80 stalls which will sell only fruits and flowers.
“As there is no proper flower market in the Kathmandu Valley, the opening of a new flower market will help consumers and give the much needed impetus to the country's flower industry,” added Poudel.
Meanwhile, the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board is also planning to expand its infrastructure. “The market, which was established 20 years ago, has become crowded with the increased footfalls of traders and consumers. We will build new infrastructure,” Poudel said, adding: “It will help us to manage the crowd more efficiently.”
Likewise, the board is also planning to build a vegetable market in Dhading. “We are currently preparing a master plan for the vegetable market in Dhading. The master plan will be forwarded to the government. We will start construction once it is approved by the government,” added Poudel. “If things go as planned, the market will be ready within Fiscal Year 2017/2018.”
Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board is currently supplying around 700 tons of vegetable and fruits in the Kathmandu Valley on a daily basis.
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