KABCO launches upgrade of Vengeri wholesale market

The overgrown areas in the premises of the agricultural city wholesale market in Vengeri will be cleared on September 17 as part of the modernization of the market. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

More than two decades after its inception, the agricultural urban wholesale market at Vengeri in Kozhikode will undergo a major upgrade with measures planned to improve waste management, internal roads, drainage, lighting and other facilities.

The 10-hectare market was established 26 years ago under the then United Democratic Front (UDF) government with European economic aid. The market, which was under the Ministry of Agriculture, was brought under the control of the Kerala Agro Business Company Limited (KABCO) during the previous government. However, no major development work has been carried out since then.

The decision to upgrade the market was taken in a meeting chaired by K. Jayanth, MLA and attended by KABCO officials.

Officials said arrangements would be made to attract more people to the market, similar to the Palayam market. The proposed measures aim to improve the overall functioning of the market and make it more accessible to traders and customers.

KABCO officials said preliminary work has begun to upgrade the market. Overgrown areas in the market area will be cleared by September 19. KABCO entrusted the work to Kerala Agro Industries Corporation, a public sector undertaking. Steps will also be taken to ensure that the premises are regularly cleaned of invasive woody plants.

A joint inspection conducted by MLA and KABCO officials will be conducted on September 19. All 107 existing stalls will be inspected to ensure they are used only for the sale of vegetables and related products.

KABCO will take steps for scientific disposal of waste generated in the market. The company will also work with the Kozhikode Corporation to ensure daily removal of plant waste generated in the stalls. KABCO will bear the cost of removing the waste.

Market road repairs will begin soon. A tender has already been announced.

New solar lights will also be installed in the area. To address waterlogging in the market, a drain will be constructed using funds from KABCO and the MLA Constituency Development Fund.

Published – 17 Sep 2026 19:44 IST