Gaya: Built at a cost of Rs 78 crore, the new eNAM wholesale grain and vegetable market on the south-western outskirts of Gaya remains non-functional despite missing two deadlines for its launch with local MLA Prem Kumar, who is now the Bihar assembly speaker, saying rules for allotment of space are yet to be framed and will be sent to the cabinet for approval once finalised.Developed over 50 acres at the site of the Old Bazar Samiti, the National Agriculture Market Platform was completed around a year ago. Prem Kumar, who took the initiative for the project when he was agriculture minister, said he was in touch with current agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha to expedite the framing of rules.In Sept 2025, Prem Kumar had said the market would become functional after Pitripaksh. The deadline was later extended to Feb 15, 2026. Existing wholesale dealers operating from the Kedarnath Market complex are expected to receive weightage in the allotment of space.The complex has a weighbridge, canteen, loading and unloading platforms, rainwater harvesting facilities, green areas, vending platforms, solar panels, livestock shops, a farmers’ rest house and shaded resting places for workers. It also has warehouses with capacities of 5,000 MT, 2,000 MT and 1,000 MT, besides godown facilities, adequate lighting and strong fortification.The earlier Bazar Samiti at the same site had failed to attract wholesalers, who cited poor access, security concerns and the absence of banking facilities nearby. Rai Madan Kishor, a former special secretary of the Bihar govt and ex-officio chairman of the Bazar Samiti, said the complex had remained a non-starter for these reasons.
