Three decades on, construction of veggie market starts in Lahaul-Spiti
The long-awaited vegetable market is being constructed at Karga in Lahaul and Spiti district in fulfillment of the more than three decades-old demand.
Anil Sehgal, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) member for Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, said the the work was being executed in three phases. He added that the first phase, including land flattening and side development, had already been initiated. “The project has received the budget allocation and a team from the APMC, led by Secretary Shagun, visited the site to oversee the marking and inspection process. The vegetable market is being constructed on 15.7 bighas at Karga, located in the Tandi panchayat area,” he asserted.
Sehgal said, “In collaboration with the Jal Shakti Department, HP State Electricity Board and the Revenue Department, the site has been inspected and demarcated to prepare it for futhrer construction.” He added that some obstacles such as the relocation of electricity lines (both LT and HT) and poles that stand in the way of the construction, must be addressed first.
He said that the departments concerned had been urged to shift the infrastructure to allow for a smooth start to the work. Similarly, water pipelines running through the site need to be rerouted to avoid delay, he added.
Sehgal said that the contractor responsible for the project had been asked to be present at the site to ensure that the work progressed smoothly once necessary utilities were cleared. He added that the market’s development had been a priority for local farmers and residents for years and a step towards fulfilling their long-standing demand.
“The vegetable market is poised to become a major asset for the farmers of the region, providing them with dedicated space to sell their produce and access better market opportunities,” Sehgal said.
Farmers of the Lahaul valley had been waiting desperately for this market as it would provide marketing facilities for their agricultural produce on their doorsteps.
