The Haryana-Delhi border blockade by the protesting farmers has affected the Asia's largest fruit and vegetable market, Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. Traders inform, the truckers are delivering vegetables and fruits from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Rajasthan via various other way to the mandi, however, the majority of buyers from neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are missing, which leads to a stockpile of fruits and vegetables.
A fruit dealer at the mandi, says there were no clients from Haryana as the border was blocked. "We are dealing with a grave situation. The farmers are sending their produce and the truckers are somehow making it to the mandi through various routes, but there are lesser clients. Being close to Haryana, Azadpur Mandi attracts a number of wholesalers and retailers from Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh. But since the key road is blocked, the buyers are not able to come," said the fruit dealer.
The fear of violence and the road blockade are keeping the clients away, claims the traders. Happy Singh, a trucker from Punjab, on his way to deliver kinnow to the mandi, said, "Our trucks were stuck in a traffic jam near Punjab-Haryana border for nearly two days. Then we decided to take a detour of about 150 kilometres to reach the mandi. Now, more trucks are following the same route. It's time consuming and costly, but at least we have reached the mandi with the produce. Now, I will return with vegetables to Punjab via the same route."
Farmers to announce further strategy in press conference at 4 pm
