Punjab Government to Establish 300-Acre Mandi in Amritsar for Fresh and Dry Fruit Trade

The Punjab Government plans to create a 300-acre mandi in Amritsar for marketing dry and fresh fruit, potentially relocating the Vallah Sabji Mandi, which has lacked basic amenities for over two decades. The new market aims to include both dry fruit trading and essential infrastructure, addressing the needs of the region, which has been a historical hub for dry fruit due to its proximity to the Himalayas and the Attari Integrated Check Post.

Currently, the Vallah mandi suffers from inadequate facilities, partly due to restrictions from a nearby Army ammunition depot established in 2004. Although the market committee is making repairs, new constructions remain prohibited. Traders have expressed the need for a modern mandi equipped with a fruit ripening plant to avoid harmful chemical ripening, as many fruits are currently treated with banned substances like calcium carbide.