Why should the agricultural wholesale market in Vinh City be moved to the suburbs?

The haunting name of wholesale market

Agricultural wholesale marketis a market located in the West of Vinh market, an independent market from Vinh market but not yet classified. Although it has been displayed and the nature of this market's operations is similar to a wholesale market, it has not been recognized according to regulations.

Panoramic view of the agricultural wholesale market next to the west of Vinh market. The market covers an area of ​​nearly 1 hectare but has up to 900 stalls. Due to lack of infrastructure investment, the market is quite makeshift and often floods during the rainy season. Photo: Contributor

According to the market network planning approved by the Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 5955/QD.UB in 2013 and several adjustments and supplements, Nghe An has never had a wholesale market in the Vinh market area. At the workshop on buildingManagement model and conversion of some marketsIn Vinh city in 2019, there was no wholesale market, only an agricultural market west of Vinh market.

Vinh agricultural wholesale market has a signboard and operates as an agricultural wholesale market, but it is one of eight markets in Vinh City that has not been ranked by the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Contributor

Since the first half of June 2021, the name of Vinh City wholesale market has become hot when this place is a complex Covid-19 epidemic. The first time was from June 11 and 12 to early July and the second time was from mid-August to early September. Positive cases from the agricultural wholesale market have spread throughout the province.

After the second chain of infections appeared in mid-August at Vinh agricultural wholesale market, the province was forced to be locked down and then socially distanced. Photo: Quang An

The current wholesale market has a fairly large density and trading relationships, with traders from other provinces coming in and out, and from districts and towns. With nearly 900 stalls, on average, the market has over 2,000 people coming and going each day to import goods and get wholesale goods. In fact, whenCovid-19 epidemic occurred,It is extremely difficult to isolate and trace. Currently, although the epidemic has been controlled, the wholesale market is still a complicated area with a very high risk of re-outbreak.

In addition, this market has a narrow, humid area, and an unsynchronized infrastructure. Every time it rains, the market faces the risk of flooding. When it is hot, it faces the risk of fire and explosion. In addition, due to the high traffic density, this is also a hot spot for security, order, and difficulty in managing fees, charges, and environmental sanitation.

The western road to Vinh agricultural wholesale market during the flooding in late October 2020. Photo: Nguyen Hai

At the working session with the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control in early September, based on the assessment of the current situation and to ensure long-term epidemic prevention safety for the city, the Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee proposed that the province consider the policy of relocating the agricultural wholesale market west of Vinh market to the south of the city, next to Vinh bypass, in Hung Loi commune, Hung Nguyen district.

(Source: Vinh City People's Committee Office)

How to build Vinh Southern wholesale market?

Although the idea of ​​moving the wholesale market to the suburbs to the south of Vinh city has just been proposed by Vinh city and is waiting for the departments, offices and functional departments to develop a detailed plan to request investment policy, it can be seen that this is a new, innovative and quite feasible idea. It is known that the land proposed by Vinh city has been assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to Bac Vinh Passenger Station Joint Stock Company and this unit has leveled and fenced the area to build the Southern Transport Station of Vinh city. The current leveled area is about 5 hectares but there is still the possibility of expanding up to 10 hectares, so if the province agrees to adjust the planning and fully meets the criteria of a wholesale market.

The location of the land that Vinh city plans to choose is next to the western bypass of Vinh city. At present, it belongs to Hung Loi commune (Hung Nguyen), but according to the orientation, the expanded area will belong to Vinh city, so it is quite convenient. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Looking at the provinces, most provincial wholesale markets are planned far from the city center and large urban areas to ensure and reduce traffic congestion; goods from all regions come to the central wholesale market and then are transferred to the city center, not right in the city center as before.

The area chosen by Vinh City as an inter-regional wholesale market serving Vinh City is about 3 km from the current Vinh market. The investor leveled the area and is currently vacant, so some auto repair shops have rented the location. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Talking to us, the representative of the Trade Management Department, Department of Industry and Trade said: Although it is just an initial idea, the Department is very sympathetic to this plan. It is said to be relocating Vinh agricultural wholesale market but in fact it is a new project because according to the current planning as well as reality, our province as well as Vinh city do not have their own agricultural wholesale market. The location chosen by the city is also quite convenient when it is close toVinh bypassis the North-South traffic route of the province; near Vinh city, the economic center of the province and goods from the districts are also convenient. To promote trade and ensure requirements on food safety, disease prevention and control in the new context, the construction of the above market is very necessary.

The land is nearly 1 km from Hoang Muoi Temple, has an area of ​​nearly 10 hectares and can be expanded up to 15 hectares, so if selected, the planning will be adjusted and supplemented, which will be convenient. Photo: Nguyen Hai

The most difficult problem for the construction of the southern agricultural wholesale market in Vinh city at this time is the land, planning and investment resources. According to the Law on Public Investment and Government Decrees, the State does not currently invest the budget to build market infrastructure and trade centers, but this field is socialized, accordingly the State only builds, manages the planning and calls on businesses to invest in business and manage and operate the market. In addition, the land that the city is aiming for has been assigned toBac Vinh Bus Station Joint Stock Companyand the planning is to make a transport station.

Investing in separate wholesale markets, separate from the city center, is a trend in the provinces and now in the context of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, it is even more suitable. The upcoming agricultural wholesale market will be regional in scale and not only for Vinh city but also for the province, so it must be approved by the province. The land area is 10 hectares and can be expanded to 15 hectares, so it is completely possible to adjust and supplement the planning.

Representative of Economic Department of Vinh City People's Committee

Talking to us, Mr. Tran Minh Thanh - General Director of Bac Vinh Bus Station Joint Stock Company confirmed: The location of the land assigned to the Company is planned to be a transport bus station, office for rent and motel in the South of Vinh City. The Company only knows the information through the press, so the adjustment and conversion to build a new wholesale market must wait for the official policy of the Provincial People's Committee. Currently, this is just the idea and proposal of Vinh City People's Committee./.