Maliha veg, fruits and meat market ready

Mohammed Bin Ya’roof, manager of regional projects department, said: “Constructing an integrated market for vegetables, fruits and meat is a response to the instructions of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to change Maliha into a fully-serviced area to fulfil the requirements of its residents. The newly-constructed market coincides with Maliha eco-tourism project, the biggest of its kind in Sharjah.

Bin Ya’roof added: “The total area of the market is 2,360 square metres. The first block, allocated for vegetables and fruits, covers 620 square metres and consists of 16 stores, a coffee shop and an office for municipality inspectors. In addition, the block is also equipped with car parking for visitors.”

The other block for fish and meat is marked with its special connecting bridges and covers 630 square metres. It consists of seven stores for fish and eight stores for meat and poultry.

The market design provides a central area for fish cleaning and cutting, three entrances, ample car parking spaces and a permanent office for municipality inspectors. It is also equipped with goat and camel slaughterhouse.

The markets were provided with cooling and ventilation systems and a specified space for veterinary clinic. Aluminum doors were used instead of the wooden ones and marble tables were also provided to secure the highest safety and sanitation standards.

In a related context, road projects department in DPW implemented several service roads and other main roads leading to the Malaiha market. The works involved constructing a 1.5 km two-lane road, in addition to 303 car parking spaces around the market, costing a total of Dh4.6 million.

Suliman Al Hajir, manager of road projects department in DPW, declared: “The project is one of DPW’s comprehensive plans to develop road networks in order to cope with the increasing construction and economic growth in Sharjah.”

“Road networks and infrastructure that serve the market were designed considering the market nature and to ensure smooth traffic flow,” he disclosed.

In addition to the unique architectural design that distinguishes the market, its location is also considered a masterpiece in itself as it lies in an area surrounded by Ghaf trees and towering Maliha mountains. The market is expected to offer a unique scenery and will provide a special shopping experience for visitors.

Use-wise, the market will secure fresh meat in a direct way from slaughterhouse to stores, in addition to all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruits. Overall, the market will provide integrated shopping services that ensure quality control for customers and will also provide encouraging investment environment.