DC Srinagar Visits Parimpora Fruit Mandi, Reviews Development Works, Promises Support for Cold Store Project
Assures truck terminal, garbage disposal facility, and improved infrastructure at Asia’s second-largest fruit market
Srinagar: In a significant step towards addressing long-pending demands of fruit traders, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar on Thursday visited the Fruit Mandi Parimpora — the largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Kashmir — to take stock of ongoing development works and review key infrastructural needs.
Accompanied by a team of officers from various departments, the DC held a detailed review meeting with the management and members of the Fruit Mandi Association in the association’s conference hall.
At the outset, President of the Fruit Association, Parimpora, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, highlighted several critical issues related to the development and functioning of the mandi. He urged the administration to expedite the allotment of land for a dedicated truck terminal and the earmarking of space for garbage accumulation within the mandi premises.
Basheer also raised concerns about the stalled Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Cold Store Project, revealing that the Association had already invested over ₹12 crore in constructing the structure on government-allotted land. However, he lamented that the project had been hanging fire for years due to the reluctance of financial institutions, particularly J&K Bank, to sanction the required Term Loan Facility. He appealed to the DC for personal intervention to ensure that the project — crucial for preserving Kashmir’s fruit produce — is completed without further delay.
Responding to the concerns, the DC Srinagar acknowledged the importance of the mandi to Kashmir’s horticultural economy and reiterated his earlier commitment to personally oversee its development. “During my previous visit, I had directed the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department to take up macadamisation work in the mandi. Most of the work has been completed, and the remaining stretches will be covered shortly,” the DC assured.
He further informed that the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) had already initiated work on the link roads outside the mandi’s boundary walls, with macadamisation of these stretches scheduled for next year.
Addressing the demand for a truck terminal, the DC said that a suitable piece of land had already been identified for the facility. “Once the levelling process is completed, the site will be made available for parking of trucks,” he confirmed.
On the issue of garbage disposal, the DC was informed that the matter had been resolved by the Association in consultation with the Chief Sanitation Officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), who has committed to providing a dedicated dumping facility at Achan.
Regarding the long-pending CA Store Term Loan, the DC assured that he would submit a formal proposal to the concerned department and forward a copy to the district administration for necessary follow-up with the government.
During the meeting, the Association’s president also requested the installation of floodlights and placement of dustbins across the mandi premises. The DC directed the Association to coordinate with the Joint Commissioner, SMC, who was also present at the meeting, for early resolution of both issues.
The visit concluded on a positive note, with traders expressing satisfaction over the DC’s proactive approach and assurances. The Association extended its gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for his continued engagement and commitment to improving facilities at the Parimpora Fruit Mandi.
