The new Udyan Fresh outlet at Buxi Bazar in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 11: Consumers can now get locally grown vegetables and fruits at their doorstep as the city’s first Udyan Fresh outlet, set up by state horticulture department, will open at Buxi Bazar tomorrow.

Last year, the state horticulture directorate introduced the outlets in public-private partnership mode in Bhubaneswar.

The project aims to eradicate the profit margin of middlemen, thereby ensuring a fair price to farmers.

“Residents of Cuttack can now buy fresh vegetables at rates cheaper than the ones prevailing in retail markets,” said deputy director of the horticulture department Ravindra Nath Baliarsingh.

The residents are suffering due to skyrocketing prices of vegetables.

“The prices of vegetables in retail markets in various parts of city is higher than the rates of vegetables at Chhatra Bazaar, the state’s largest vegetable market. But, it is practically not possible for consumers, especially from Tulsipur or even Biju Patnaik Chhak, to travel nearly 10km to buy vegetables from Chhatra Bazaar,” said Tulsipur resident Dilip Swain.

Hence, many people are forced to buy vegetables from vendors near their localities at a higher cost.

A consumer in Cuttack said such retail vegetable and fruit outlets should also be opened in other areas.

“We are certainly looking forward to the outlet as we can save some money. The vegetable prices have gone up manifold in the past couple of weeks,” said Badambadi resident Pradeep Mohanty.

A department official said there were plans to set up seven more Udyan Fresh outlets in Cuttack in subsequent phases. The cheap outlets will come up at Satichoura, Mahanadi Vihar, Badambadi, Dagarpada, CDA Sector-IX, Naya Bazaar and Jobra. The land for the outlets has been identified and the work is expected to begin shortly.