India: Largest mango orchard in the heart of city to go under the hammer
"The F&CC has decided and approved to fix Rs 3.5 million reserve price. The auction is being done after a gap of six years. In 2008, the reserve price was Rs 3.1 million. The tender will be again for six years," said Krishan Pal Singh, executive engineer, horticulture wing, MC.
The process of e-tender has been started. The orchard was one of the sources of revenue for the civic body.
An official dealing with the issue said most the trees were of dasheri variety and all provided good amount of fruit. "Since the orchard is situated at a key location having direct facility of transportation and even sale at the same place, we are hoping for a good competition among the bidders," he added.
Last time, a Saharanpur-based resident was the successful bidder. "He used to take a large quantity of fruit from here to various parts of the country, mainly Uttar Pradesh, for sale," said an official.
A senior official of the municipal corporation said the mango orchard was brainchild of the first chief commissioner of Chandigarh, Dr MS Randhawa. "The orchard was planned due to the huge Industrial Area adjoining it to maintain the greenery and provide a good environment to residents living around the areas. Beside also to give good look to the area and later on it turned means of earning revenue for the authority," said an official of the MC.
Source: indiatimes.com
