MCD plans multi-level decks, underground parking at APMC mandis

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning multi-level decks and underground parking facilities for goods vehicles at APMC mandis in the national capital to ease chronic congestion. 
The proposal is likely to be sent to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in the coming days, according to an MCD official.
“The proposal is still at a preliminary stage and will be discussed with the APMC before a detailed plan is prepared. We are examining the feasibility of developing multi-level and underground parking facilities within the mandis,” an MCD official said.

 The move comes as wholesale markets across Delhi continue to face traffic bottlenecks due to unregulated parking, particularly during the night and early morning hours when hundreds of trucks carrying fruits, vegetables, foodgrains, flowers, fish and poultry arrive for unloading.
“Since vehicles often have to wait several hours for their turn at unloading bays, they end up occupying internal roads and circulation areas, slowing the movement of other trucks, traders and buyers inside the markets,” an official explained.

Delhi has seven major APMC-regulated wholesale markets — Azadpur Mandi, Keshopur Mandi, Narela Mandi, Najafgarh Mandi, Shahdara (Ghazipur) Mandi, the Fish, Poultry and Egg Market at Ghazipur, and the International Flower Market at Ghazipur. All these mandis/markets are located in the densely populated areas.
Parking management in these mandis falls under the jurisdiction of the APMC. Although designated parking spaces exist at several markets, officials said they are either inadequate or not effectively utilised, resulting in haphazard parking and congestion during peak trading hours.

“Most goods vehicles enter the mandis between midnight and the early hours of the morning. Loading and unloading operations can take four to five hours, during which trucks remain stationed inside the market. A structured parking system will help regulate this movement and reduce pressure on internal roads,” the official said.
According to the officials, the proposed facilities are being planned as dedicated parking hubs where truck drivers can park their vehicles while awaiting unloading slots, rest, freshen up and then proceed with market operations without obstructing traffic within the mandi.

 “Besides improving traffic circulation, the facilities are expected to make the handling and movement of perishable produce more efficient by separating waiting vehicles from active loading and unloading zones,” the official said.
They added that the proposal is initially being explored for the Okhla and Ghazipur wholesale markets, with similar facilities likely to be considered at other APMC-regulated mandis depending on feasibility.

 The officials further said that consultations with the APMC will determine the design, capacity and implementation plan before the project is taken forward.