Relocation of Vijayawada flower market makes traders annoyed

Vijayawada: The iconic Rajiv Gandhi Flower Market, better known as the Vijayawada Flower Market, is about to be shifted to some other location. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has been planning to relocate the market to land near the Excel Plant in Ajith Singh Nagar. This decision was taken following a request made by railway authorities to displace the market because it is running on railway land.

VMC officials said that four acres of land have already been allocated for the development of the new market. A government order was issued a few years ago. The chosen area is perfect for establishing shops, and the site is well-suited for flower trade. VMC Commissioner Dhyanachandra HM recently reviewed the area and was satisfied with it. However, a final decision is expected to be taken after discussions with the traders and the marketing department.

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This is the largest wholesale floral market in Andhra Pradesh; a huge number of visitors from cities like Hyderabad, Khammam, and Ongole set foot there every day for business. Overall, trades of 3 to 10 tonnes of flowers take place daily, and during festive seasons it touches 20 tonnes. Around 5,000 people depend on this gigantic market for their livelihoods.

Traders are annoyed with the decision. They say Ajith Singh Nagar’s location is not conducive and is surrounded by burial grounds, and this may hamper their business. They are demanding to move it to GS Raju Road near Rythu Bazar.