International flower market proposed near Nandi Cross

Minister for Agricultural Marketing Shivanand Patil on Thursday said about 20 acres of land near Nandi Cross in Chickballapur district has been transferred by the Horticulture Department to the Chickballapur APMC for establishing an international flower market.

Replying to JD(S) member Govindaraju in the Legislative Council, the Minister said the proposal to set up a hi-tech international flower market at an estimated cost of ₹141.50 crore had received in-principle approval in last year’s State Budget.

The market was proposed to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, he said, adding that if private players did not come forward, the government would take up the project on its own.

Mr. Patil said administrative approval had been granted to take up basic infrastructure works at the proposed site under a NABARD scheme at a cost of about ₹20 crore. The works include development of roads, drainage, water supply, electrification and an auction platform, and steps have been initiated to invite tenders.

Earlier, Mr. Govindaraju said Kolar, Chickballapur and Bengaluru Rural districts together produce flowers on a large scale and the sector accounts for nearly ₹10,000 crore in annual trade.

He urged the government to expedite the establishment of the market to provide better marketing facilities to flower growers in the region.