In a significant development, the Mumbai Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) is set to provide a cold storage facility for rent at Sector 19. The decision comes as part of the APMC's ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and support the agricultural community. The rental process for the cold storage facility will be initiated through a tender process, with this proposal slated for discussion during the Board of Directors meeting.

The APMC holds the distinction of being the largest market in Asia, attracting thousands of farmers who bring their produce for sale. This bustling marketplace serves as a hub where traders purchase agricultural goods, subsequently distributing them across Mumbai and its suburbs. Additionally, a considerable volume of agricultural produce and dry fruits are exported to various parts of the country.

The inception of this cold storage facility project was approved administratively in 2013, and construction was completed in 2018 at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. However, its operation was stalled due to the absence of an occupancy certificate. Thankfully, this hurdle has now been overcome, as confirmed by Assistant Engineer Mehboob Vadyaar, who announced that the building has obtained the necessary occupancy certificate.

To proceed with the rental process, the APMC has engaged the services of Nutris Project Engineers and Consultants for an evaluation of the cold storage facility. Subsequently, the market committee plans to conduct a tender process for renting the facility. This vital step has been placed on the agenda for discussion during today's Board of Directors meeting.

The introduction of this rentable cold storage facility is expected to provide a valuable resource for traders, enabling them to store agricultural produce conveniently within the market premises. This initiative is in line with the APMC's commitment to supporting farmers and facilitating the smooth flow of agricultural products within the region.