Cold storage plan for Uttarakhand, India scrapped
Sources said that in their reply, officials concerned maintained that the state already had a number of cold stores and therefore there was no need for new ones, thus putting brakes on the entire exercise. The additional chief secretary Ranbeer Singh wrote a ‘makeup’ letter to the ministry on March 29 requesting clearance of the projects, but it was too late.
At present, there are 39 cold stores in Uttarakhand. With growing demand from the farmers wanting to store their vegetables and fruits, the industry feels there is a need for more cold stores in the state, with current estimates showing that nearly 40% of produce perishes due to the lack of cold storage.
“There is a need for big boost to the agro and horticulture sector in the state. We also need infrastructural facilities to preserve the produce,” said Anil Taneja, regional director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PHDCCI).
source: hindustantimes.com
