New Delhi, Apr 20 (IANS): The Delhi government on Monday announced that the Azadpur Mandi, said to be Asia's largest market for fruits and vegetables, will remain open 24 hours a day from Tuesday, subject to certain conditions like odd-even scheme and entry through coupons.

"From Tuesday, the Azadpur Mandi will remain open for 24 hours. While between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., market will be open for the sale of vegetables and fruits, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. trucks will be allowed in and out of the market for loading/unloading," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai told the media.

He said the decision was taken to ensure enough supply of the vegetables and fruits in the national capital during the nationwide lockdown.

He pointed out that trucks from across the country will bring more fruits and vegetables in the night hours so that there is no shortage of the items the next day.

Also, he said, to ensure social distancing, entry will be done through coupons and in every four hours, entry of only 1,000 people will be allowed.

Rai said 600 santisation workers will be deployed in the mandi to ensure cleanliness.

"A total of 900 civil defence volunteers will be deployed to ensure social distancing."

Rai said the odd-even scheme will continue in the mandi and the government has directed the sellers to ensure social distancing.

The odd-even scheme will allow sales at odd-numbered platforms in each shed on odd dates of the month, ending with 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 and even-numbered platforms on even dates ending with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

To contain the spread of COVID-19, the Delhi government had also installed two sanitisation tunnels to spray disinfectant on people at the entry gates of Azadpur Mandi.