6 yrs on, construction of fruit market yard yet to begin in Kullu district

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 30

The construction of a fruit market yard at Bandrol in Kullu district has been hanging fire for the last six years.

In the absence of basic amenities, apple orchardists and fruit growers from the district are facing hardships in marketing their produce. Currently, fruit agents are running their business from makeshift shops. The entire market yard is covered under tarpaulin roof and temporary shops have been constructed.

The construction of the yard has been pending since October 2014 when the then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had laid the foundation stone of the project.

Shyam Kullvi, an apple orchardist from Kullu district, said, “This market yard is a central place for apple orchardists from the Kullu-Manali region and they prefer to sell their produce here. In the absence of proper infrastructure, apple growers are suffering. During rains, the yard area turns into a pool.”

Rajiv Kimta, another fruit grower, said, “During rain, it becomes difficult for farmers to unload their produce in the open. However, on sunny days, their yield gets discoloured.”

Mohan Lal Thakur, president of the Fruit Agents Association, Bandrol, said, “At least 125 fruit agents are running their business from temporary shops at the yard. We urge the state to provide us proper infrastructure.”

Susheel Gularia, secretary of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee, Kullu, said a detailed project report had been made and a tender for the construction work would soon be awarded soon.

Pending since 2014

The construction of the yard has been pending since October, 2014 when the then CM Virbhadra Singh had laid the foundation stone of the project. The estimated cost of the project at that time was Rs7.17 crore, but it has now escalated to Rs10 crore