New Delhi, Apr 18 (IANS): In a bid to maintain social distancing amid the danger of coronavirus spread, the local authority has started issuing passes for the buyers to reach Okhla Mandi, from where the vendors of south Delhi usually source vegetables and fruits.

The odd and even system is also applicable at Okhla Mandi as it has been exercised at the Azadpur mandi, Asia's largest vegetable and fruit market.

But this practice has drastically affected the supply of fruits and vegetables to Okhla Mandi, said Javed, a local trader and general secretary, Okhla Sabji Mandi Welfare Association.

The Okhla Mandi administration follows the same rules which are applicable to the Azadpur Mandi, but it has only 180 licence holding commission agents. And with the odd and even rule in place, not more than 90 trucks carrying vegetables and fruits can enter the mandi, he added.

Vijay Ahuja, a commission agent of Okhla Mandi, said token system is good for managing the crowd and maintain social distancing in the mandi, but due to faulty implementation, buyers have to face problems to enter the mandi, which results in low offtake of vegetables and fruits.

Hasim Khan, Assistant Secretary of Okhla APMC, said that while passes are now being issued to the buyers to restrict entry to the mandi, the vendors of the area don't have any problems in procuring fruits and vegetables from the mandi.

Khan said that nearly 88 truckloads of vegetables and fruits arrive at the mandi after the odd and even formula has been brought into practice.