Relief for Mumbai: Vashi's APMC market set to reopen on April 15

With the Coronavirus lockdown in the state extended till April 30 the APMC market in Vashi is set to reopen in a phased manner from April 15 onwards In a meeting held on Monday it was decided that the onion potato and garlic and vegetable markets will reopen amid strict supervision No call regarding reopening the grain market was taken during the meetShivaji Daund commissioner of Konkan division told midday A highlevel meeting was called on Monday where it was decided that from April 15 we will reopen the onion potato and garlic market under strict supervision and restrictions The APMC committee mathadi workers and the zonal deputy commissioner of police agreed on the rulesOn Monday evening the committee also decided to keep the vegetable market open by allowing limited vegetable and fruit supplies to enter the market We have called for another meeting with all stakeholders on Tuesday when we hope to get a clear picture Hopefully the grain market too will be opened under restrictions from April 15 Late on Monday rules for operating the grain market were finalised and will be placed before Daund for approval on TuesdayEveryone at APMC will have to wear a face mask PicSameer MarkandeThough the vegetable market is shut the supply of vegetables to Mumbai and neighbouring areas has not been affected On average over 100 trucks with vegetables are going directly to the Somaiya ground Chunnabatti and BKC We will make similar arrangements for Navi Mumbai too The APMC committee has allowed for only a few hundred 300 trucks to ender the market We want to gradually increase the number Daund addedThe market was closed after a spice trader contracted Coronavirus However the extension of the lockdown and the state governments request compelled the APMC committee to reconsider its decisionSashikant Shinde an elected member of the AMPC and the union leader of 12000 mathadi workers told midday We requested the zonal DCP to limit the number of trucks entering APMC and bar consumers coming to buy produce for selfconsumption Also mathadi workers should be allotted ID cards and should be exempted from reaching APMC during the lockdown The police have agreed to consider our requestRules to be followedAnil Chavan administrator and secretary APMC issued the following directives to ensure a continuous supply of produce Only 100 truckstempos carrying onion potato and garlic from farmers to be allowed to enter APMC from midnight till 8 am on a firstcomefirstentry basis Also only 300 trucks with vegetables to be allowed inside Traders will be requested to order only one vehicle with farm produce Traders should deal in fastmoving farm produce and place a minimum order of five jute sacks of 50 kg each Any trader selling lesser than this will face action Vegetable traders selling less than 100 bundles or less than 10 kg of vegetables to face action Customers must adhere to the positions marked inside the market to ensure social distancing Those standing at the counter must maintain a distance of one metre The trader must also ensure this is followed Buyers wishing to buy smaller quantities to be barred from entering Everyone at the market must wear face masks or face a fine of R1000 Entry to the onion garlic and potato market will be allowed only if visitors show valid ID100No of trucks with onion potato and garlic to be allowed inside per dayRs 1000Fine for not wearing face mask inside APMC marketCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news