The old Danyingon market located in Insein Township will be shut down by 21 June, the day after the remaining 1,087 shopkeepers are scheduled to move to the new market, said U Than, the joint secretary of the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC).
The new Danyingon wholesale market for fruit, vegetables, and flowers market is being developed on 82.78 acres of land to meet metropolitan needs, in accordance with Sections 20(A) and 77 of the 2013 Yangon City Development Committee Law and Sections 186(A) and 325 of the existing 2018 Yangon City Development Committee Law.
“This project is being implemented according to the law. As per the contract, the project must be finished within 30 months. Actually, this project should have been completed in 2018. But, it is yet to be completed. We still need to complete Phase-3 because some shopkeepers are still opening shops outside without moving to the new market,” he added.
The Danyingon market is owned by the YCDC, and shopkeepers rent the stalls from the YCDC markets department on an annual contract.
“They have to move out of this old market. Sure, we won’t allow them to stay here any more. The committee will also take the responsibility of the cleaning service. We have to finish the construction in accordance with the contract. If we cannot get the shopkeepers to move out, our project will be delayed,” said U Than. A total of 1,087 shop owners who still need to move out will be resettled in the new market. The rents will be also reduced in the new market.
The Danyingon wholesale fruit, vegetable, and flower market, which is a joint venture between the YCDC and the Myanmar Agro Exchange Public Ltd, is located near the Danyingon railway station in Insein Township. “Our market is a wholesale market. Vegetables from across the country flow into the Danyingon station. Then, they are distributed across Yangon City. If the market is closed, Yangonites will have trouble finding fresh food and vegetables. So, we will continue to sell them in the market. We need to abide by the law, like other markets in Yangon region. There is an old and a new Bogyoke market now as well,” said U Soe Kyaw, a vegetable market representative.
The shops in the new market will be required to pay monthly rents. Shopkeepers will not be allowed to buy shops so that they can be brought under the control of the YCDC. In addition, farmers will be able to sell their products directly to customers. Upon completion, the new market is expected to emerge as a high-standard one in which only fresh and clean vegetables and fruits are sold.
Since the previous government’s term, the new Danyingon wholesale market has been planned as a centre for export of agricultural products to China.
By Aye Yamone(Translated by Hay Mar)
