Vashi APMC Plans Major Overhaul and Digital Shift for Ageing Markets
Maharashtra Marketing Minister and APMC Chairman Jaykumar Rawal announced an extensive overhaul roadmap for the Agricultural Produce Market Committee complex in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, following an inspection of all five market yards. The authorities plan to decide the future of the long-troubled onion-potato market within two months and begin a phased transition to digital, cashless transactions within the next year.
The redevelopment aims to address structural safety issues in the ageing complex, where most buildings date back to the 1970s and 1980s. The onion-potato market, which has been classified as dangerous since 2005, was recently issued a notice by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to halt operations.
Rawal stated that a final decision regarding the onion-potato market will be made after consultations with traders in light of the civic notices. In addition, the dangerous Central Facility Building in the spice market will be demolished and secured against public entry. Urgent repair work has also been directed for the fruit market, where plaster had started falling from the ceiling, alongside measures to stop leakages across the premises.
The revamp includes significant upgrades to basic amenities. Rawal ordered the immediate cleaning and renovation of washrooms in the onion-potato market and across the wider complex, including dedicated facilities for women. The administration plans to evaluate private agencies or relevant institutions for the construction and maintenance of toilets, while also installing clean and cold drinking-water kiosks, solar lights, improved general lighting, and repaired internal roads.
Operations at the market will undergo a technological transition. The move toward digital and online payments is scheduled to begin within a year, with most transactions expected to become cashless over the next two to three years. The digital system will track the movement of agricultural produce from the point of vehicle entry through cargo unloading, alongside fixes to FASTag entry systems and internal traffic management.
The state government is also considering appointing an independent chief executive officer for the complex. To resolve workforce shortages, a transparent examination process will be conducted for recruitment, with contractual staff deployed in the interim. Issues related to parking, sanitation, service-tax disputes, and unauthorised trade will also be reviewed.
The Maharashtra government granted the Mumbai APMC the status of "Market of National Importance" in May, shortly before Rawal took charge as its chairman on June 2.
