Suhail Bhat
Srinagar Oct 3: Seven years have passed since the construction work of satellite fruit market in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara area began, but the work continues to drag on, bringing misery for the growers.
In order to enhance the market facilities for apple crop, which is the backbone of the district’s economy, the Government in 2013 decided to establish a state-of-the-art Fruit market at the Jablipora area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. A sprawling 440 Kanals of land was notified for the purpose, but the market is incomplete even after seven years.
The apple traders said the Government’s insensitive attitude towards the project has disheartened the growers and plunged them into despair. The traders said they were promised a modern fruit market wherein they would get all the facilities including market yards, weighing bridge, administrative block, bank, post office, cold storage, 600-shops and other facilities. “We were hoping completion of the market this year, but the Government’s lax attitude has again disappointed us,” Nissar Ahmad, a grower said. In absence of the facility, he added, they have to operate from the fruit market of Anantnag or Shopian that hinders the trade.
The traders said besides easing the trade, the market would create jobs for hundreds of local youth. “The administrative apathy has blown the whole project. This demonstrates the attitude of the Government towards the development of the horticulture sector in J&K,” Ghulam Mohammad, another apple grower said.
While showing displeasure over the delay in the culmination of the project, the traders accused the department of failing to complete the facility even after receiving contributions from growers. “We donated Rs 1 lakh per trader for office spaces, but are yet to receive the benefits,” said Rashid Ahmad, a fruit trader from the area.
An official who has been associated with the project from the outset said the project took several setbacks in the form of at least three unrests and devastating floods of 2014. “It is a comprehensive project wherein all the facilities will be provided. We were not expecting its completion overnight but it should have been thrown open till now. Unfavorable situation delayed the project,” he said.
Director of the Planning and Marketing wing of Horticulture department, Imam Din, said they would speed up the construction work on the pending part. “This project is on our top priority list and we have taken up it with the Government. We are expecting funding from NABARD. We will speed up the work and try to make it functional this season,” he said.
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