International-standard chilli yard works in Khammam Agricultural Market move at slow pace
Modernisation works at Khammam Agricultural Market are progressing slowly despite significant funding. Former AMC Chairman Gundala Krishna alleged lack of planning, design flaws, and inadequate infrastructure, warning of future transport issues and urging better facilities for farmers
Khammam: The modernisation works at the Khammam Agricultural Market, where a model chilli yard with international standards is being built, are moving at a slow pace.
The government has allocated Rs 155.30 crore for the modernisation of the chilli yard and the works are being undertaken in two phases. It was planned to complete the works by Sankranti this year.
During his visit to the market in January, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation Secretary Surendra Mohan directed the officials to complete the first phase of works by February 15, but in vain.
Speaking to Telangana Today, former Agricultural Market Committee Chairman Gundala Krishna stated that though the Congress government claims it is developing an international-standard chilli market, there is a complete lack of prior planning besides significant architectural flaws.
It is absurd that, for a market project of such international magnitude, the authorities failed to hold preliminary consultations with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and farmers’ associations to seek their advice, he said.
Expanding the market’s internal premises while narrowing the surrounding roads would lead to severe transportation bottlenecks in the future, as the existing 40-foot roads around the market have been reduced to a mere 25 feet, Krishna noted.
He argued that at a time when roads across Khammam city are being widened, it is entirely inappropriate to narrow the roads surrounding a market. If large volumes of chilli arrive at the market in the future, vehicles would face severe difficulties in gaining access to the premises.
Further, removal of the access road leading from the main gate into the grain market to construct massive sheds constitutes a grave architectural defect and could make it difficult for heavy vehicles to enter the market premises, Krishna said.
At present, there are just 14 personnel handling the market affairs. The government should appoint at least 55 personnel to manage an international-standard market that aims to handle two lakh bags of chilli arrivals, he suggested.
The government should construct cold storage facilities and warehouses so that farmers could store their produce free of cost. Just constructing massive sheds would not benefit the farmers, Krishna added.
