Bustling farmers’ market at Katpadi to be relocated for ROB project
The Hindu
The farmers' market in Vellore near Katpadi railway station will be relocated due to a proposed Rail Over Bridge project.
The uzhavar santhai (farmers’ market) near Katpadi railway station in Vellore will be shifted to a new, permanent location as the land parcel on which the market is located is likely to be earmarked for the proposed Rail Over Bridge (ROB) project.
Established in 1999, the year in which the concept of the ‘farmers’ market’ was introduced in the State to eliminate middlemen, the uzhavar santhai in Katpadi, spread across 50 cents (21,650 sq.ft) of railway land near the railway station, is of benefit to both farmers and consumers from neighbouring villages.
“As the market is located near to the railway station, it is convenient to buy perishables after returning from work,” said S. Vasanthi, a resident.
The market comprises 72 shops, mostly for vegetables and fruits, directly sold by farmers from the neighbouring villages in Katpadi and Anaicut taluks.
The shops in the farmers’ markets were given for free to farmers on a first-cum-first-serve basis. Every day, a government bus picks up the farmers and their produce from their farms, and brings them to the market.
Every day, on an average, at least 25 metric tonnes of vegetables and fruits are being sold at the market, which is the highest among the six farmers’ markets in Vellore district. At this market, vegetables and fruits cost nearly 20% less than those sold in open markets and by street vendors.
The market has grown in size and patronage over the years.
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