LAHORE: Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has said that the vegetable market being built in Ravi City would be the best in Asia; the access routes to this market would also serve as a prime example of high-quality infrastructure.

“Metro and Speedo bus routes would be extended to the market to facilitate labourers and cart vendors. The project will soon be inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,” he said while addressing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony on Thursday.

Punjab Agriculture Marketing Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) Director General Tariq Basra and Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) CEO Imran Amin signed the MoU for setting up a new vegetable market in the RUDA area.

The ceremony was attended by RUDA COO Brigadier Mansoor Janjua, Kashif Qureshi, Executive Director Commercial, Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and DG Agriculture Information Naveed Asmat Kahloon along with other officials.

The Minister further said that, in the future, this vegetable market would become an export hub for the region. He emphasised that the farming and cold storage of vegetables like tomatoes and onions, which were often in short supply, would be improved to ensure these items were available to the public at affordable prices throughout the year.

During the briefing, RUDA CEO Imran Amin explained that the vegetable market, spread over 300 acres, would have direct access from all sides; trucks and vehicles would be able to enter the market directly from GT Road, Gujranwala, and the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. “The market is expected to be completed within 18 months, and the infrastructure would be of international standards. The market will also feature an export zone for fruits and vegetables, modern cold storage facilities, warehouses, commission agent shops, petrol pumps, and an extensive parking system. RUDA will manage the cleanliness of the market, while the operational system will be overseen by PAMRA,” he added.

PAMRA DG Tariq Basra said that discussions were underway with commission agents regarding the relocation of the Badami Bagh vegetable market. “Currently, 50 percent of them have agreed to move to the new Kala Khatai vegetable market, and the remaining will soon be persuaded,” he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024