BUTWAL: The construction of the country’s second largest agriculture wholesale market in Butwal has reached the final stage. The market will serve farmers from several districts in western and mid-western Nepal.

Over 80 per cent of the construction work has been completed, according to engineer Gautam Rauniyar. The market is expected to come into operation within this year.

Though construction was supposed to complete within the last fiscal year, it was delayed due to technical reasons. The market is located at Butwal Bus Park area under Public-Private Partnership model at a cost of Rs 45 million.

The government has allocated Rs 10 million and Butwal Municipality Rs 2 million this year to complete the construction.

The market will have at least 200 shutters and a cold storage. Secretary at the municipality Narayan Bidari said all shutters are already booked and the market will come into operation immediately after construction completes.

The municipality also plans to manage the wasted generated from the market by composting. Regional Agriculture Development Directorate has invested Rs 27 million, Lumbini Vegetable and Fruit Vendors’ Association Rs 9 million and Butwal Municipality Rs 9 million for the market.

All infrastructure including water supply and drainage facilities will also be built in the market.