The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 16th May: Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta today visited Asia’s largest wholesale market Azadpur Mandi to review its condition. During her visit, she interacted with traders, workers, and visitors and took note of their concerns. The Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the lack of basic amenities, poor sanitation, inadequate security, and rampant corruption in the mandi.
Following her visit, the Chief Minister stated that Delhi’s mandis are not just trade centers but they are the lifeline of Delhi. Our goal is to transform every mandi into a clean, well-organized, and modern facility where farmers, traders, and consumers can operate in a safe and convenient environment. Today’s visit to Azadpur Mandi was part of that vision.
Inspecting the market, CM Rekha Gupta expressed deep dissatisfaction over its deteriorating condition. She said, “Thousands of people work in Azadpur Mandi but it severely lacks basic infrastructure, sanitation, and security. The heavy movement of trucks, rotting vegetables, broken roads, and dilapidated toilets have turned this mandi into a garbage heap.”
Taking jib at the previous government, the Chief Minister remarked, “For last ten years, they turned the mandis into centers of corruption. Neither traders nor workers were heard, and no effort was made to understand or address the core issues. Those who once promised to turn Delhi into London or Paris should stand here and face the stench of this mandi. These markets need a complete renovation, and we are committed to it.”
During the inspection, the Chief Minister highlighted major flaws in sanitation, health facilities, access to drinking water, and traffic management — attributing them to administrative failure and corruption. She instructed officials to take immediate corrective steps to restore dignity and safety for both traders and the public.
To address these issues, the Chief Minister announced to initiate a comprehensive plan to modernize and restructure Azadpur Mandi. She directed officials to install CCTV cameras across the mandi starting from all entry points to ensure robust security, monitor vehicle movement, and prevent discrepancies in registrations and gate entries. Additionally, she instructed deployment of extra sanitation staff within a week to improve cleanliness. A compactor and green waste processing plant will also be installed within the mandi premises, eliminating the need to transport waste elsewhere.
For infrastructure improvements, the Chief Minister ordered immediate renovation of roads, sheds, and toilets within the mandi. A dedicated committee will be assigned to oversee the renovations and ensure that all facilities are made fully functional.
To ensure basic amenities, the government will install drinking water stations across the mandi to provide relief to thousands of laborers working in the scorching heat. A health facility will be set up within the existing Kisan Bhawan building to provide first-aid and emergency medical services. Additionally, an Atal Canteen will be launched to offer affordable meals for workers, serving a full meal for just ₹5.
The Chief Minister further stated that the mandi’s management will be restructured, including the appointment of a new team and strict anti-corruption measures. She ordered a full audit of the past 10 years of mandi budgets to examine expenditures and ensure future transparency. A new plan will also be drawn up to develop a modern mandi with better infrastructure, advanced facilities, a secure environment, and a corruption-free system.
Emphasizing the mandi’s critical role in Delhi’s economy, the Chief Minister said, “This mandi is the lifeline of Delhi — it caters to the needs of the entire city and nearby states. It is our responsibility to ensure these markets are clean, well-managed, and free from corruption.” She assured traders and workers that the government will continue working to resolve their issues, and that all announced initiatives will be implemented through regular, time-bound action.
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