The West Bengal government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the historic Mallick Ghat Flower Market into a world-class flower trading and export hub. Located beneath the iconic Howrah Bridge, the market is regarded as Asia's largest flower market and serves as a lifeline for thousands of flower growers and traders across the state.
The initiative focuses on modernizing infrastructure, strengthening marketing facilities, and enhancing West Bengal's position in the international floriculture industry. A high-level review meeting, chaired by Food Processing and Horticulture Minister Dr. Kalyan Chakraborty, recently discussed the project's roadmap with representatives from multiple government agencies, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority, and other stakeholders.
One of the key highlights of the project is the construction of a state-of-the-art climate-controlled cold storage facility within the market. The new preservation system is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses by keeping flowers fresh for longer periods, enabling traders to access distant domestic and international markets while minimizing wastage.
The government also plans to encourage farmers to cultivate more export-quality flowers that meet global demand. Officials believe this will not only boost foreign exchange earnings but also increase farmers' incomes by expanding export opportunities. Improvements in transportation, logistics, sanitation, and market management are also part of the modernization plan.
According to senior officials, the lack of adequate storage has long been one of the biggest challenges for the flower trade, leading to substantial losses every day. Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve efficiency across the supply chain and establish Mallick Ghat as a globally competitive flower commerce center.
