The Government of Sindh has planned to construct a 'Mirch Mandi' or 'chilli market' in Kunri, District Umerkot, at an estimated cost of Rs 192.621 million. The feasibility report of the project, which has been initiated on a special directive of Chief Minister Dr Ghulam Arbab Rahim, has been finalised.
Sources in Sindh Agriculture Department told Business Recorder on Friday. Unlike the old 'mandi' the new market would be built outside the town at a plot near Misri Shah Graveyard on Kunri to Bodar Farm road, they said. They said that the old chilli market, which is located inside the city, is a permanent source of trouble for the citizens who have to inhale the red chilli powder with the air.
The new market, to be built by the Services and Works Department of Sindh Government, would be developed as a modern centre of trade for all varieties of chillies, they said. When asked why Kunri was selected for developing the market, sources said that since the town is already the largest market of the Asian continent it was a natural choice.
At present, the Rs 192.621 million project is awaiting approval by Additional Chief Secretary, Planning and Development Department, sources said. They, however, expressed inability to provide more details as the project had not got approval from the concerned authorities.
Meanwhile, in a telephonic conversation with Business Recorder, the President of Red Chilli Growers' Association (RCGA), Mian Saleem, termed the Sindh government's initiative as a positive and trade-friendly step.
He, however, demanded that the government should ensure availability of proper storage facilities in the new market as big amount of the commodity gets damaged due to humidity while on its way to Karachi.
"A 200 kilogram bag of red chilli turns into 240 kilogram due to humidity on the route from Kunri to Karachi", the RCGA president said. He also demanded, of the government, that like any other market 33 percent quota should be set for the growers in the new mandi.