MP Pushes for Gnanapuram Wholesale Market Facelift
The MP noted that while large-scale trading activity is already taking place, facilities such as parking, loading and unloading zones, internal roads, storage, sanitation, and traffic management remain inadequate.
Visakhapatnam:Visakhapatnam MP Matukumilli Sribharat has underscored the urgent need to modernise the Gnanapuram Wholesale Vegetable Market, a key commercial hub for the city. During his visit to the market yard, Sribharat inspected daily operations and interacted with traders, workers, and farmer representatives, stressing that infrastructure upgrades are vital to meet future urban growth and commercial demands.
The MP noted that while large-scale trading activity is already taking place, facilities such as parking, loading and unloading zones, internal roads, storage, sanitation, and traffic management remain inadequate. He highlighted that a more organised wholesale market system is essential, suggesting the establishment of an integrated market yard with highway connectivity to improve logistics and benefit traders, farmers, transporters, and consumers. Citing the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex in Chennai as a successful model, Sribharat said modernised markets can serve as powerful economic engines for urban centres.
Acknowledging apprehensions about relocation or modernisation, he assured stakeholders that development would be phased to protect livelihoods. The Gnanapuram market currently supports around 60 traders, over 500 workers, and nearly 100 clerical staff and assistants, making it a crucial ecosystem for hundreds of families. Sribharat reiterated that infrastructure development is indispensable for Visakhapatnam’s growth and pledged to transform the market into a modern trading centre in cooperation with all stakeholders.
Representatives of the Vaishnavi Wholesale Vegetable Market Association, including president K. Veerraju, secretary V. Paramesh, P. Srinivasulu, K. Prasad, K. Poorna, and N.S.B. Srinu, accompanied the MP during his visit.
